Town Debates Tasers for PD

BENNINGTON — The Select Board and town manager are considering whether or not to purchase tasers for the Bennington Police Department. Select Board member John Zink proposed that tasers be purchased during a budget meeting several weeks ago. Other board members said they wanted more information on the device before money was added to the police department budget. The issue was brought up again at a Select Board meeting Monday when Town Manager Stuart A. Hurd presented a packet of information compiled by a member of the police department. Startup costs, included in the packet given to the board, were listed at about $8,200. Included in the costs are six tasers, 20 holsters, several different types of cartridges and maintenance and cleaning kits. In addition, the packet contained average savings the department could see if tasers were to become a part of the department's arsenal. According to data collected from departments in several different states, the Bennington Police could see annual savings of up to $21,000 through fewer officer and suspect injuries, as well as liability insurance savings.

Police Chief Richard Gauthier told the board that many police departments around the state are beginning to outfit officers with tasers. But after looking through the packet and hearing from Gauthier, some board members were still wary. "It just scares me to death," said Chairwoman Lodie Colvin. "I certainly have a big learning curve that needs to happen before I can consider supporting it." Board member Sharyn Brush agreed, saying more information — preferably data from Vermont police departments already using tasers — was needed before the board took action. "I'm just not real comfortable with it," said Brush. Gauthier recommended the board not take action until the department could provide the localized data they were seeking. "I suggested that at this point in time we get a little more information and postpone a decision," he said. Hurd assured the board that money would still be available if a decision was postponed. "We can find a way to purchase these, whether we phase it or purchase them all at once," said Hurd. Zink, a board member and former police officer, compared the current taser discussion with an issue that arose 20 years ago when the department wanted to switch to batons with a handle. The conventional thinking at that time was that the baton with a handle allowed officers to exert more force, said Gauthier. Zink said there were plenty of detractors then, but no injuries or problems have arisen. "To the best of my knowledge there has never been a serious injury with that weapon," he said. Members of the police department have reacted differently to the idea of tasers, said Gauthier. "Some guys are pretty enthusiastically in favor of it while others are taking a wait and see approach. That's a pretty normal reaction to a new weapon," he said. Gauthier said he was generally in favor of local officers being armed with tasers, but said it was important for people to understand when and how they are used. "I can see where they would be a useful tool. ... I'm in favor of any tool that will allow us to do our jobs better," said Gauthier. "You would not use a taser on somebody who is just being verbally aggressive. You have to look at the taser as a fairly significant use of force."