It's unlikely that a Kansas City police officer gave his Taser a second thought as he stood in heavy rains directing traffic around a tree felled in the day's thunderstorms. His job done, the soaked officer got back into his patrol car, heard a crackling sound and smelled smoke. That's when he thought of the Taser. And that's when the Taser discharged.

Considering the Taser can send 50,000 volts of lookee-here into its target, the cop got off easy. His launched its cartridge into its holster, which absorbed much of the jolt.

"He got a shock, but it didn't immobilize him," explains Police Sgt. Mark Hatcher. Hatcher called Taser International, who told him the Taser isn't intended for use in "heavy moisture." Apparently when water gets into the Taser's battery pack, anything could happen.

Hatcher has issued a memo to all staff suggesting they wear raincoats and keep their Tasers dry.

» Scott Saxon