Chief Brooks Comments on Increase in Statewide Taser Use

NORWOOD, MA — There has been an increase in police taser and stun gun use across the state, but there's a reason for that, according to Norwood's police chief.

The numbers are from a new report from the state’s Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Overall, Tasers or stun-guns were used a record high 619 times by police officers in Massachusetts in 2015. The increase is being attributed to more officers having access to the devices, according to the Boston Globe.

Norwood Police Chief and Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association President William G. Brooks III said that the likelihood that an officer will use a Taser is down from the previous year.

Last year, Norwood officers used or threatened to use a Taser or stun gun six times, according to the Globe.

Click here to see how many times Tasers and stun guns have been used or threatened to be used by police in Massachusetts communities.