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ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Electric-shock weapons are a tool now used by most law enforcement agencies, and while an officer's use of one still requires certain circumstances, it also has reduced injuries to police.

The electrical snapping and buzzing is not a sound anyone wants to hear, but the electric-shock weapon has changed how some situations are handled in law enforcement.

Where once an officer might have to risk going hands-on with a suspect, they now can keep a safe distance while bringing someone under control.

Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy Dwes Hutson says, "They are unable to use their muscles, so they are incapacitated. They generally fall to the ground and then we are able to take them safely into custody."

As badly as it might hurt, KPIC reporter Glen Beeby had to find out for himself what happens when your body is shocked by an electric-shock weapons.

Five seconds of pain and 50,000 volts of electricity later, he regained control of his muscles, and stood up almost immediately.

"My body felt like it had a hard workout, the kind where your muscles are so weak, all you want to do is sit down," said Beeby.

The electric-shock weapon has not come without controversy.

With any tool an officer uses, like pepper spray or a baton, it must be the right situation for the extra use of force.

Local agencies who carry electric-shock weapons said the number of officer injuries has dramatically decreased since bringing them on board.

Roseburg officers said members of the department have had to use the mechanism only seven times in the past year. In 13 other situations, they said the suspects gave up when officers threatened to deploy their Taser.

While in rare cases some people have been seriously hurt or died, police say the electric-shock weapon has proven to be a less-lethal tool in helping local police on the streets.