SINCE the Singapore police force started arming officers with Taser stun guns about four years ago, the stun guns have seen action on more than 40 occasions - without causing death.

In response to The Straits Times' queries, the police said: 'To date, there have been 44 instances where the deployment of the Taser has either saved lives or prevented serious injuries compared to other options of force.'

VIDEO A taste of being tasered (1:43)

More police officers are now equipped with the Taser X26 stun gun since it was introduced in 2005 to provide officers with another option - besides firing revolvers - in hostile situations.

The stun guns work by propelling two barbed darts, which hook onto the suspect's skin or clothes and send a 1,200-volt electric current through the body for five seconds.

This results in temporary incapacitation by inducing involuntary muscle contractions.

The guns, which have an 8m range, were initially deployed on a trial basis at Geylang and Bukit Merah neighbourhood police centres.

The police did not comment on the outcome of the trial, but observations by The Straits Times suggest that their use has expanded to more police units.

In August last year, a stun gun was wielded during a stand-off between police officers and a robber at a 7-Eleven outlet in Braddell.

Cornered by the police, the robber turned his knife to his stomach in an apparent suicide bid. One of the officers then fired the electric stun gun at his leg, causing the man to crumple into a heap.

While the Taser stun guns appear useful here, their use has garnered controversy overseas.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.