As befits a country that prides itself on using the most peaceful means to solve violent problems, municipal police in the capital are now patroling the streets with, if not a kinder, gentler alternative to the service pistol and nightstick, at least a potentially less lethal one—the stun gun, reported the leading English-language newspaper, The Tico Times.

The officers are using the X26 Taser, an apparatus that carries a 50,000-volt wallop with a range of up to 20 feet and wire-connected hooks that can penetrate clothing up to two inches thick. The weapon, which disrupts the nerves controlling muscles for long enough to restrain an out-of-control suspect, has already been used at least 10 times against violent subjects–uncooperative drug addicts and at least two wielding hand-held weapons. The officers are trained to use them only in cases of violently resisting arrest, or when the aggressive subject has a knife or other weapon.

San Jose Police Chief Manuel Garro told the newspaper that use of the Taser might have saved a human life and prevented an international incident had it been available in late 2005 when two Rottweiler guard dogs fatally mauled a Nicaraguan burglar under the eyes of police. Officers on the case said they were afraid of shooting the fierce animals for fear of hitting the intruder.

But the Nicaraguan government was not buying this explanation and filed suit against Costa Rica in the InterAmerican Human Rights Court, alleging the death was a sign of callous disregard of Nicaraguan in the country due to “xenophobia.” The suit was dismissed by the court although criminal charges are still pending against two officers, filed by Costa Rica’s own Chief Prosecutor’s Office.

But not all is sweetness and light with Taser Internation’s products. Amnesty International claims the stun gun is responsible for the deaths of 150 persons in the countries in which it is used since the year 2000 and some suits for wrongful death have been filed in the U.S., notably in Florida, but all the suits have been thrown out of court so far. The Municipal Police force is convinced, however, that the Taser is the way to go to protect its officers and violent suspects’s lives, plus eliminate the danger of stray police bullets from injuring innocent bystanders—the force has ordered a dozen more stun guns.