![[EXCLUSIVE VIDEO] Sylacauga Police Department trains new officer with taser and pepper spray exercise](https://www.sylacauganews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/SPD-training.png)
SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Recently, the Sylacauga Police Department hired a new, future officer. On his second day on the job, Kyle Smith gained valuable experience not just in the classroom, but also in the field. As part of extensive training, police departments across the nation demonstrate certain tactics used to confront offenders on officers. SPD is no different.
“Officer Smith is a new hire so he’s going to go through a taser certification course where he will be certified to carry a taser on the streets and also get pepper sprayed,” said Investigator Chris Vinson. “To carry either one of those items, you have to be certified and have the item actually used on you.”
Vinson said it is important for officers to know how the taser and pepper spray effect others so they do not apply more force than needed.
“He know’s how it feels. He’s been there and done that. One, it helps him realize that. Two, it helps him talk the person through to let them know this is not a long-term effect and that it’s going to get better,” said Vinson.
Chief Kelley Johnson said Smith will start the academy on Aug. 21 and graduate in Nov. He will then go through the department’s 16-week FTO (field training officer) program. After training, Smith will be on the patrolling around Feb. or March 2018.
[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLeZMAjcU7w” autoplay=”yes” loop=”yes” rel=”no” modestbranding=”yes” theme=”light”]Michael Brannon for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
