Justice Village Board members have approved purchasing seven Taser 10 devices for $52,656 from Axon Enterprises Inc. The new equipment is expected to be ready for use in early 2025 after officers complete training.
Deputy Police Chief Fred Schuerg highlighted the advancements of the Taser 10s compared to the older Taser 7s during the board’s Nov. 11 meeting.
“Technology is a lot better. You’re looking for two shots with the Taser 7 to at least 10 shots with the Taser 10. Ten single shots,” Schuerg said.
The updated devices allow officers to engage suspects from a safer distance, he said. “You’re going from 15 feet (away) to 45 feet from, let’s say, the bad person. You’re preventing (potential) injury for the officers because you’re increasing the distance away.”
The Tasers also track details such as activation time, angle, and the number of trigger pulls, Schuerg said, adding that firing a Taser is not like using a firearm.
“There’s no kickback. You expect a kickback. That’s why we go through training,” he said.
Schuerg emphasized that Tasers are holstered opposite officers’ firearms to reduce the risk of confusion. “That’s done to decrease the chances of an officer thinking he or she is pulling out a Taser when it’s actually a gun,” he said.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 25. A committee of the whole meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 20.