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Schenectady cops get Tasers in battle against crime
Officials say stun guns a long overdue safety tool
By Paul Nelson Staff writer
Published 12:51 a.m., Monday, June 27, 2011

SCHENECTADY -- The Electric City's is the latest Capital Region Police Department to arm its officers with stun guns.

Acting Mayor Gary McCarthy said Friday that the electroshock weapons -- commonly known as Tasers -- were never issued to the officers even though some of them had been trained and certified after the department last year used grant money to purchase the equipment.

Once he assumed office in April, McCarthy said he had a long discussion with police brass and "with their approval and desire" gave them verbal authorization to put Tasers into the hands of the officers.

"It just seemed odd that they weren't utilizing them," McCarthy said of the roughly two dozen Tasers that patrol officers and patrol supervisors began carrying in early May. Since then, there have been two deployments.

The Tasers, which are equipped with a video record device, will also be used on an as-needed basis by detectives and cops on special details, said police officials.

"The risks from Tasers seemed to be minimal when you consider that it has life-saving potential for officers that they can use in dealing with combative citizens," McCarthy added..................>>>>....................>>>>...........................Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/loca.....20.php#ixzz1QTRkhzlK

Suprised McCarthy dosen't have one for himself for the "unruly" at the council meetings or for those trying to get their COD.

I think this is a bad idea, these tasers are known to be abused by officers all around the country. They were supposed to be used as a last resort before lethal force was used but we know that is not the case in many circumstances. I seen enough videos out there where simple questioning of a cops actions resorted to them being tased for being non compliant.