The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has added seven Taser X-26 energy devices, non-lethal law enforcement weaponry. Taser devices are proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk individuals who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens, or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. Over 7,000 law enforcement agencies are currently deploying Taser technology. The funds for purchasing these devices were acquired by the Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association through a grant allocation by Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C) North Tonawanda. According to Sheriff Scott Hess, “While the use of Taser devices will certainly not rectify every situation, they are nevertheless a very effective tool in the law enforcement tool box. Tasers are a safer use-of-force option. The use of these devices will reduce officer involved shootings as well as injuries to suspects.” In September 2005, an Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy was forced to use his service weapon to eliminate the threat of an armed suspect. The suspect eventually recovered and is currently serving time in prison. However, had the deputy been armed with one of these devices at the time, perhaps the suspect could have been taken into custody without injury to himself or the deputy, according to department officials. All Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputies have been trained in the proper use of these devices and every deputy is armed with one whenever he or she is on duty, Hess said. April 30, 2006 |
