GT Sheriff Asks For More Taser Stun Guns
TRAVERSE CITY -- Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Deputies could soon start packing taser stun guns that shoot off 50,000 volts of electricity.
Sheriff Tom Bensley says "it immobilizes their muscular system and causes them to immediately cease action."
Since 2004 all sergeants carry tasers, but now Sheriff Bensley wants patrol officers to carry the weapon.
Sheriff Bensley says "this is another tool the officers have in situations where they may have the option to use pepper spray or a baton. This allows them to use the taser when confronted by people who are aggressive towards them who are resisting.”
The plan is to spend $58,000 dollars in forfeiture money to buy 61 more taser stun guns. Tax payers will not be covering the bill, but county commissioners still need to approve the purchase. Sheriff Bensley tells 7&4 News that the Traverse City Police Department and Michigan State Police already pack tasers. He wants his deputies to be safe when they’re protecting the streets.
Sheriff Bensley says "there have been several instances where officers have physically fought with people and not just a single officer maybe 2 or 3 have fought because they did not have tasers available to them"
County Commissioner Ross Richardson is throwing his support behind the sheriff.
Ross Richardson says "we have to think about the safety of them. Unfortunately police officers do die in the line of duty we want to avoid that."
Amnesty International reports that more than 350 people have died from police use of tasers since 2001. That is why the sheriff is making sure deputies go through training if the purchase is approved.
Sheriff Bensley says "in situations where suspects are aggressive combative non compliant the taser could be deployed."
Ross Richardson says "any weapon can be abused and obviously we have to be very careful about how we use them"
