POWAY, Calif. - A device designed in Poway could change the conversation on the use of force by police.

10News has confirmed local trainers were in Ferguson, Missouri on Wednesday as police began learning how to use The Alternative.

Created by Poway-based Alternative Ballistics, the handgun attachment can be put on quickly. The bullet that is fired melds with a device the size of ping pong ball, making it less lethal.

"It's going to be between a bean bag and bullet on kinetic energy. It's going to break some ribs. Consider it an airbag for a bullet," said company founder Christian Ellis.

Ellis spoke to 10News from Ferguson after wrapping up training with a group of officers there. He says Ferguson police have purchased devices for the entire force at $45 for each device.

"If you ask a police officer what their options are in lethal force situations, they're going to say a gun and their bullets. This gives them another option," said Ellis.

Critics have taken aim at the time required to attach the device – moments that could place an officer's life in danger.

"If you have to get it out of your holder, that will take seconds and by time, you're already dead," said retired San Diego police detective Rick Carlson.

Ellis says the attachment is not designed for those immediate danger situations.

"You may have a mentally unstable person with a knife pacing back and forth," he said. "This enables officers to keep their distance that other less lethals don't provide them."

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