County police officers will now be equipped with conducted energy devices, also known as Tasers.
As much as $72,500 will be made available for the purchase of up to 29 devices, one for each municipal police department and law enforcement agency in Middlesex County, according to a press release from Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan.
The announcement came after Attorney General Paula T. Dow approved use of the devices by police officers who successfully complete training offered by Taser International, the manufacturer of the X2 and X26 models, which have been shown to meet the criteria established in the attorney general’s revised policy on conduced energy Devices.
In addition to training by the manufacturer, police officers will be required to undergo approved training through the New Jersey Police Training Commission. Use of the devices must be in accordance with the attorney general’s guidelines.
“Properly trained police officers will now have another tool to protect the citizens of Middlesex County,” said Kaplan, who previously served on the attorney general’s advisory group to study less lethal ammunition.
“New equipment and training are two very important ways that we can help our local police departments enhance their efforts,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Deputy Director Ronald G. Rios. “As the chair of the county’s Law and Public Safety Committee, I would like to thank Prosecutor Kaplan and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office for making this opportunity available to all of our municipalities.”
The devices cost as much as $2,500 each and will be purchased with funds that were seized by court order from criminal activities, such as illicit drug sales.
Kaplan said he hopes that by offering money for an initial purchase by each police department, authorities will realize the potential benefits of the devices, and will train additional officers and purchase additional devices.
“The last thing a police officer wants to do is to use deadly force. Not every situation may involve going to a Taser, but having that option is a benefit to the officer, the department and the public,” said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka, a former president of the Middlesex County Chiefs Association and first vice president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
Training sessions are being planned by the manufacturer and the New Jersey State Police, but training dates have yet to be established. Training could begin early next year.