Southwick Chief of Police Kevin Bishop (WNG File Photo)
SOUTHWICK – According to Chief Kevin Bishop, the Southwick Police Department has received 15 new tasers and equipped each of the 15 full-time police officers with their own taser.
In November, the Select Board discussed and voted unanimously in favor of a plan to get the Southwick Police Department new tasers through a payment plan brought forth by Bishop.
Bishop was able to get support from the Finance Committee prior to presenting it to the Select Board for a vote. With the tasers now in use, Bishop is grateful for the appropriate authorities allowing the plan to become a reality.
“I would like to thank the Finance Committee and the Select Board for supporting us in this much needed safety item that benefits the community and the officers carrying them,” said Bishop.
The plan involved equipping all full-time police officers with tasers whereas previously the department only had five tasers, with four in use and one out of service. According to Lt. Robert Landis, if there were events in town that required police presence or other details, it leaves a number of officers without tasers.
At an approximate cost of $1,700 each, Chief Bishop and Lt. Landis came up with a plan that spreads out the $25,000 cost. By equipping all full time officers with a new taser, the previous four tasers would be used for reserve officers to either train with or have equipped during details. Those backup tasers will also serve as replacements in case any of the new tasers have a malfunction.
The payment plan consists of a three-year lease agreement with the Town of Southwick where each year the Police Department makes a payment to the town towards the purchase of the tasers. Bishop added that the while the lease is a three-year payment plan, there is a five-year warranty on the tasers. If someone wants to pursue more than a three-year plan, that proposal would have to go to town meeting.
The police department will also be using their forfeiture money from a drug bust in October 2014 as financial support in the first year, but needed assistance from the Select Board to complete years two and three.
