CCSO looking to move away from blunt force weapons, toward tasers
CHENANGO COUNTY - The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is planning on purchasing tasers in an effort to move away from blunt force weapons and toward a more effective mode of incapacitating criminals.
Sheriff Ernest Cutting said, “For a long time I’ve resisted it; but I’m at the point now where I could see how it could be a benefit to the county. An officer taking an ASP and striking someone in today’s climate, it’s bad.”
Sheriff Cutting explained that the department has the money available in this year’s budget to purchase 12 taser units including the holsters, batteries, and cartridges amounting to $20,400.
Under heavy use, each taser is expected to have a shelf life of at least five years. He added that there are not grants that cover the cost of anything that can be considered a weapon.
The utilization of tasers will require staff training, said Sheriff Cutting, and the benefits of employing this technology are indisputable.
“The officer isn’t getting hurt and there is no permanent injury to the person being arrested, whereas a nightstick used to incapacitate someone could leave serious injuries,” he added.
When Safety and Rules Committee Chair Charles Mastro questioned the dangers of using tasers on people, Undersheriff Daniel Frair was quick to rebuttal.
“Scientifically, a taser cannot cause death.” said Undersheriff Frair. “We’re talking about one joule of energy versus the 400 joules it takes to reach the heart muscle. It literally travels just under the surface of the skin, affecting only the larger muscle groups.”
Undersheriff Frair explained that TASER, the company that manufacturers the device, has never been successfully sued because in the event that death does occur, they are able to prove for certain that it wasn’t the taser that caused the death, but rather other factors such as years of drug use.
Frair offered that the use of a taser is really the best option for all parties because it incapacitates people quicker, thus allowing them to receive medical attention faster. Without a taser, Frair said officers often have to fight with people in their excited delirium which only causes more injury and delays their medical treatment.
Frair said that in his experience, the lives of both people and animals have been saved because the option of a taser was available. He spoke of specific instances where he was able to use a taser on drug dealers’ attack dogs as opposed to using a firearm, and the dogs live to this day.
“In my 24 years in law enforcement, a taser is the best tool I’ve seen.” said Frair. “It’s really a phenomenal tool.”
Committee members made a motion to transfer funds for the purchase; however, the proposal may have to go before the county’s Finance Committee before the sheriff can make a purchase.
Sheriff Ernest Cutting said, “For a long time I’ve resisted it; but I’m at the point now where I could see how it could be a benefit to the county. An officer taking an ASP and striking someone in today’s climate, it’s bad.”
Sheriff Cutting explained that the department has the money available in this year’s budget to purchase 12 taser units including the holsters, batteries, and cartridges amounting to $20,400.
Under heavy use, each taser is expected to have a shelf life of at least five years. He added that there are not grants that cover the cost of anything that can be considered a weapon.
The utilization of tasers will require staff training, said Sheriff Cutting, and the benefits of employing this technology are indisputable.
“The officer isn’t getting hurt and there is no permanent injury to the person being arrested, whereas a nightstick used to incapacitate someone could leave serious injuries,” he added.
When Safety and Rules Committee Chair Charles Mastro questioned the dangers of using tasers on people, Undersheriff Daniel Frair was quick to rebuttal.
“Scientifically, a taser cannot cause death.” said Undersheriff Frair. “We’re talking about one joule of energy versus the 400 joules it takes to reach the heart muscle. It literally travels just under the surface of the skin, affecting only the larger muscle groups.”
Undersheriff Frair explained that TASER, the company that manufacturers the device, has never been successfully sued because in the event that death does occur, they are able to prove for certain that it wasn’t the taser that caused the death, but rather other factors such as years of drug use.
Frair offered that the use of a taser is really the best option for all parties because it incapacitates people quicker, thus allowing them to receive medical attention faster. Without a taser, Frair said officers often have to fight with people in their excited delirium which only causes more injury and delays their medical treatment.
Frair said that in his experience, the lives of both people and animals have been saved because the option of a taser was available. He spoke of specific instances where he was able to use a taser on drug dealers’ attack dogs as opposed to using a firearm, and the dogs live to this day.
“In my 24 years in law enforcement, a taser is the best tool I’ve seen.” said Frair. “It’s really a phenomenal tool.”
Committee members made a motion to transfer funds for the purchase; however, the proposal may have to go before the county’s Finance Committee before the sheriff can make a purchase.
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