Butler Twp. to arm police with Tasers

BUTLER TWP., MONTGOMERY

The Butler Town- COUNTY — ship police department will purchase 40 new Tasers as part of a 10-year plan. The departm e nt has

entered a 10-year program with Axon Enterprise to purchase 20 new Tasers now and 20 more in five years, according to Butler Town- ship Police Chief John Porter. All officers will have their own Taser.

The service life of Tasers is five years, and the department was in need of new ones. The cost of all Tasers — including batteries, cartridges and holsters — will be $44,448, and $20,000 will be paid for by Tax Increment Financing. The TIF is property tax from certain dis

tricts, in this case the Miller Lane area. The remainder of the costs will come from

the police department’s capital plan. The Tasers will be paid off over five years. One Taser costs just under $1,100. “The first set of Tasers

comes with an extended warranty,” Porter said. “The sec- ond set of Tasers, we would have to pay an extra $4,500 a year if we decide to, to cover a warranty.”

A Taser is a brand of elec- troshock weapon. When Tasers are fired, two small dart-like electrodes are shot out and connect to the sus

p ect w ithout t he use of deadly force. The electric shock disrupts voluntary control of muscles, giving officers the ability to arrest the suspect.