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Shock troopers
Chico Police Lt. John Rucker, above center, endures a 50,000-volt blast from one of the department’s new Taser stun guns. Police Chief Bruce Hagerty said he hopes one day to outfit every officer on the force with one of the bright-yellow, gun-shaped devices, which can incapacitate a person at a range of about 20 feet. At this demonstration held at police headquarters, Rucker was shot in the back with a five-second burst from the Taser, causing him to release a string of expletives and slump to his knees. Afterward, he said he was shaken but "none the worse for wear." Chico Police Sgt. George Laver, right, shows off one of the weapons.