BY MATT HERSH

In two separate incidents recently, new Taser stun guns were used by the Salem Police Department.

Though the department’s officers began carrying them in March, they were not used in the line of duty until two recent arrests involving violent citizens.

Viewed as a “less lethal” means of disarming a potential threat, the Taser is shaped like a gun but instead of bullets, it fires an electrically charged cartridge which hooks into a person’s skin.

Each Taser gun has a laser sight on it and can hit targets from up to 25 feet away. It can also be used to stun a person from close range by pressing it against someone’s body.

On Friday, July 13, at 10:11 p.m., police responded to a report of harassment at the Mall at Rockingham Park where 17-year-old Julio Contreras of Lawrence, Mass., was waiting for an employee of the “Forever 21” store to finish work, according to Deputy Police Chief William Ganley.

“The employee felt threatened so they locked the doors and called us,” he said.  “The officers tried to talk to him but he got into a defensive stance and started fighting with them.”

After a brief struggle, officers used the Taser and took Contreras into custody. He was taken to the Police Department and later released. He is due in Salem District Court on Aug. 6, where he will be arraigned for loitering, prowling and resisting arrest.

The second Taser incident took place two days later on Sunday, July 15, at 12:31 p.m., when an officer stopped Richard Napoli, 49, of Salem, for a motor vehicle violation.

After stopping, Napoli got out of his car, approached the officer’s cruiser, and started yelling at the officer, Ganley said.

The officer told Napoli to get back into his car but he refused and attacked the officer. With the help of a back-up officer, police were able to get one hand-cuff on Napoli, who then broke free and started attacking again.

The officers then used a Taser to force Napoli to comply.  He was taken to the Salem Police Department where he was released after being processed.  He is due in Salem District Court on Aug. 6 where he will face charges of driving after revocation, resisting arrest and simple assault.

Ganley said the department is lucky to have the use of Tasers to control volatile situations like these.

“It improves safety for everyone,” he said.  “When you think about it, striking someone with a baton or spraying them with  (pepper spray) there’s lingering pain.  With this, you deliver the initial strike and it’s over.  I think it’s a great tool.”