Tasers to be worn by all front-line Sudbury police officers

By this time next year, Sudbury police expect all of their officers will be carrying a Taser when they head out on the streets, now that the police services board hasgiven it the go-ahead.

Right now, the Sudbury police service owns 30 "conducted energy weapons," also know by the manufacturer name Taser.

The stun guns are currently used by the tactical unit and certain other officers, but the force now plans to buy 45 more so every front-line officer has one when heading out on patrol.

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At the police services board meeting Wednesday night, Acting Police Chief Dan Markiewich said the weapon gives officers another option in dangerous situations.

"There are only certain circumstances that the officers will be able to deploy [the Taser]. And that will be when the behaviour that the officer witnesses is an assaultive behaviour, he said.

"We were looking at the safety of the community. We were looking at the safety of the individual we were dealing with. And of course, the safety of our officers [is] also paramount."

Sudbury police officers already carry batons, pepper spray and a gun.

The province is allowing frontline officers to carry Tasers, but isn't kicking in any money to pay for them.

Equipping all officers with their own Taser would run close to half a million dollars.

Sudbury Police looked at getting private donations to cover the bill, but Markiewich said they opted for the cheaper $139,000 plan where the Tasers are shared.

"Of course, we have to be fiscally responsible to the community, he said.

All frontline officers will now be trained to use the Taser, but those who have already done the course, may start carrying them in the next few months.

Markiewich said the force should be fully equipped by this time next year.