Perry police accept donated less‑lethal 'Burna' devices; department staff certified

PERRY — The Perry Police Department announced that a private donor purchased several less‑lethal "Burna" devices for the department and funded required manufacturer certification training for officers.

At the meeting, the police chief described how an elderly donor contacted the department offering to buy devices and later purchased them for the department. The chief said officers traveled to manufacturer training (the maker requires certification at its school) and most on‑duty personnel completed qualification. The department plans to keep one device per supervisor on duty and pass the device between shifts in its case to ensure availability.

The chief described the devices as additional less‑lethal options that fire rounds containing irritant and CO2 that incapacitate by causing temporary blindness and discomfort; staff contrasted the devices with electronic stun guns (tasers), saying each tool has a range and use case. A demo unit is expected for the department to test and evaluate before any broader rollout.

Council members and staff thanked the donor at the meeting; the city did not disclose the donor's full name beyond the chief saying she is in her eighties and will be invited to the department range for a demo session. The department said it will continue to rely on training and established use‑of‑force policy when placing the new devices into service.