SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Police Department has developed a plan to equip all full-time police officers with tasers.
The department currently has five tasers, with four in use and one out of service. According to Lt. Robert Landis, if there are events in town that require police presence or other details going on with a large police turnout, it leaves a number of officers without tasers. With each officer already given their own vest and gun, Landis sees this plan as a necessity for the department.
Southwick Police Department. (WNG File Photo)
“This is really no different,” said Landis. “When you have a combative individual, you have this ability to stand back and use the taser.”
Landis also added that providing tasers for each officer only helps the department overall.
“It serves better with regards to accountability and longevity of the tasers themselves,” said Landis.
Landis, working with Chief Kevin Bishop, has come up with a plan that spreads out the cost. The department is looking to purchase 15 tasers enabling each full-time officer to have a taser. Each taser is estimated to cost around $1,700. The current tasers would be used for reserve officers to either train with or be equipped with during details. The backup tasers will also serve as replacements in case any of the new tasers have a malfunction.
A three-year lease agreement with the Town of Southwick allows the department to make payments to the town that will go towards the purchase of the taser. Bishop added that the while the lease is a three-year payment plan, there is a five-year warranty on the devices.
Southwick’s Police received money due to the department’s involvement in a drug bust when the late former K-9, Jax, discovered approximately $1 million of cash during a search warrant for a drug investigation in Agawam. Along with other departments involved and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), the Southwick Police Department received a portion of the $1 million and still has some of those funds left over to use towards the tasers. Bishop is uncertain exactly how much forfeiture money the department has at this time.
“I’m very concerned of officers having all of the tools they need when they hit the streets,” said Bishop. “Hopefully the Select Board will support this proposal.”
The Select Board is now looking at the proposal and has tabled the discussion to their next meeting on Tuesday.
