Cambria County, PA — Chief B.J. Newman, with the West Hills Regional Police Department says the idea of providing more tasers to his officers was proposed by the previous chief. He says he is glad to see it come to fruition, through state representative Frank Burns, of the 72nd District.
"Any chance we can get, to upgrade our toolbox, more available to help us to do our job better is highly appreciated.” says Newman.
The current chief says beforehand, if there was more than three officers out on duty, there would be someone without a taser.
Newman says "Each officer is required to discharge two cartridges every year, to keep their certification. So, they replenish those too, under this contract."
Officials say the department now has enough tasers to have on all officers who are out and about. “...It’s something that’s vital to them, to do their job properly.” says Rep. Burns.
Newman also says the new tasers come with a 5-year contract for free replacement of all cartridges, all training materials for new officers and a “simulation suit” that someone can wear for mock training scenarios, which the department reportedly did not have before. He says the likelihood of an officer not having a taser is still there, but much more rare.
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