OKC Police Introduce New Less-Lethal Equipment To Officers In The Field

The Oklahoma City Police Department has introduced a new weapon to fight crime and save lives.  

Department trainers said on Wednesday, there are two steps officers must take before they are handed the new less-lethal device. First the classroom and then hands-on training.

Master Sergeant Scott Sanders with the Oklahoma City Police Department has trained more than 100 Oklahoma City officers in recent months on the equipment.

“It is a de-escalation tactic,” Sanders said. “It is something that brings us the ability to do something besides revert to lethal force.”   

The less-lethal 40 mm has two separate rounds of foam impact and OC powder.

“So, what I’m talking about foam, it’s just a little blue nose. It’s kind of squishy,” Sanders said. “It’s like being hit with about 100 mile fastball ok so it’s going to hurt.”  

The department released body camera video of a situation on Jan. 5 on the northeast side of the city where officers used both rounds. 

The less-lethal shots gave officers a chance to move in on pursuit suspect 22-year-old Hunter Berry.

“That was this platform, it’s an OC round. It breaks and there’s OC powder inside of it,” Sanders said. “It’s also going to debilitate their eyes.”

Sanders said the 40 mm is now the go-to less lethal for officers, as News 9 has seen over the past couple weeks. 

However, Sanders said police will continue to carry tasers, pepper spray and beanbag shotguns. All meant to save lives during critical moments.

“We’re really starting to push into the sanctity of life,” Sanders said. “It’s no longer just I go from hands on to I got to go to lethal.”

The department’s goal is to have 200 of the less-lethal devices on city streets in one year.