Police Officers Must Experience a TASER before Carrying One

Wednesday night’s meeting of the Rochester New York Police Commission heard testimony regarding the policy of issuing TASER weapons to police officers. In dispute was whether or not it would be feasible to purchase the weapons for the police department. The number of police officers willing to undergo the requisite training was also in dispute.

The Rochester Policeman’s Association, a local union of police officers, was represented by their president who stated that 31 out of 32 officers polled at the last union meeting were unwilling to submit to the requirements for carrying a TASER on duty. All officers who are issued a TASER must feel the effects of the weapon themselves by being “tased.”

Another police captain disputed that by sharing the results of departmental interviews conducted over the past month. It was found that 24 uniformed police officers, including 18 “regular” police officers and members of the Command staff, are now willing to experience the force of a TASER in order to carry one.

The discrepancy in opinion could be related to a change in the TASER policy that noted that police officers who undergo tasing will experience the shot in the lower part of the upper body.

The commission felt comfortable that there were enough police officers willing to undergo the requisite training that they could justify the purchase. 50 TASERs will be purchased using grant money and once the paperwork is finalized the TASERs could be available for use in approximately a month and a half.

No officer will be forced to submit to experiencing the TASER but if they refuse they will not be issued the weapon.