Stoughton Police Chief Speaks Out on Taser Bill

As the use of tasers and body cameras becomes a larger issue for police officers, Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany has now spoken out on a proposed bill in the Massachusetts State House that would call on police departments to add audio devices to tasers.

“Let’s clean up (the law). Let’s make it so police officers are judged by their words on that tape and that recording, the same as a defendant,” Shastany told the Boston Herald.

In Stoughton officers use tasers affixed with video cameras but several tasters with video capability have failed according to Shastany.

The town is one of 200 to use tasers but it is uncertain how many have opted to purchase one that start recording when the safety is turned off.

While used in Stoughton, tasers are unlikely to make an appearence in Boston, with Mayor Marty Walsh telling the Herald that he can’t see police buying the weapon.