Canton police officers are now carrying a little extra zap in their holsters after becoming certified to use the department’s 12 new stun guns.

Officers sat through several hours of lecture before the climax of the instruction: in order to become certified, officers must they themselves be Tasered.

Sgt. Jason Hughes said he endured the jolt of a stun gun during his basic law enforcement training, and he wasn’t looking forward to experiencing it again for the certification.

With a fellow officer holding onto each of Hughes’ arms for support, Sgt. Chris Shell, with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, shot the first surge of electricity into his back.

The Taser X26 sends two small barbs into the victim up to 35 feet away, and a wire connected to the device sends a shock where the barbs ...