New Jersey Police Chiefs Approve Stun Gun Policy Changes

Additional officers will now be equipped and employing stun guns now that the New Jersey Attorney General has reviewed the state’s policy on the non-lethal devices, which have the ability to disable a person’s muscles temporarily.

However, while the new policy is regarded as being better than the old one, there is still room for improvement.

After reviewing the policy on the self defense weapons, the State Attorney explains that officers will be permitted to utilize them in more cases compared to what they were authorized under the prior policy. Officers have an extremely difficult job on their hands, and it’s important that they are provided with all the available tools in order to aid them at protecting the lives of others and their own.

The previous policy was considered restricting in that officers were allowed to employ a traditional firearm in certain situations; however the utilization of stun guns was not permitted. In regards to the new policy, the stunning devices could now be employed in the same instances that a deadly weapon could be employed.

But while some wish it was less restricting, they do believe that the changes made are good. For example police supervision is no longer required at a scene, and authorization is no longer needed when it comes to the use of a stun gun.

With the implementation of the new changes to the policy, more officers will be allowed to carry the tools. Before, only SWAT teams in a supervisory position were permitted to carry the devices. Now, a chief will be allowed to determine what officer should carry one of the devices, taking into account judgement and the amount of experience they have.

Many believe that the implementation of more stun guns within the police department will be beneficial in the long run. Not only will it reduce possible injuries to the suspects involved, but it will also limit risks to the officers as well.

Of course, now that changes have been made to the policy, and with plans for more officers to be equipped with the devices, it can only mean that police will be more effective at preventing dangerous and deadly situations that may not be avoidable if a traditional firearm is used.