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The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office hosted a comprehensive field demonstration of PepperBall, a non‑lethal technology this week, reaffirming the agency’s pledge to prioritize de‑escalation, community trust, and officer safety. Local broadcast outlets highlighted the agency’s evaluation of intermediate options, reflecting growing public interest in practical, field-tested de-escalation tools for frontline officers
Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, sworn into office earlier this year, underscored why modern less‑lethal tools are integral to his vision for public safety: “Our goal is to equip deputies with the right tools to do the job safely and effectively. Options like PepperBall help de‑escalate situations and reduce the need for force, which ultimately benefits every resident of El Paso County,” said Ugarte.
During the exercise, deputies used PepperBall launchers to deploy powder‑filled projectiles that burst on impact, releasing a fast‑acting cloud designed to gain compliance at safe standoff distances. The scalable technology allows officers to bridge the gap between verbal commands and higher levels of force, mitigating risk to both the public and personnel.
Michael Lee, PepperBall Vice President of Sales and General Manager, commended the Sheriff’s Office for its forward‑leaning approach: “Agencies like El Paso County SO are redefining what proactive, community‑oriented policing looks like,” Lee said. “The PepperBall system’s proven safety record and rapid de‑escalation capability give deputies the confidence to resolve volatile encounters without lethal force.”
With more than 20 million projectiles safely deployed worldwide, PepperBall continues to serve law‑enforcement, correctional, and military professionals seeking effective, life‑preserving solutions.
