Chatham Borough Police Arming Themselves With Tasers

CHATHAM, NJ - The decision was made years ago, but now with the money in place and the Chatham Borough Police Department will soon be outfitted with conducted energy devices (CEDs), more commonly referred to as Tasers, according to Chief of Police Brian Gibbons.

"We actually decided to pursue conducted energy devices in the latter part of 2016, early part of 2017," Gibbons told Patch. "We budgeted Capital funds over a two year period with the last round of money coming in 2019."

Gibbons noted that the devices are less likely to result in serious injuries and that just showing the weapon has an effect. He also referred top studies that show a significant reduction in officer injuries and subject injuries.

"We are always looking for ways to incorporate tools that are less lethal in nature that allow officers greater flexibility and alternatives when dealing with violent or combative subjects. We reviewed the enormous volumes of data/studies on Tasers and the evidence is clear that responsible use of these devices has a major impact in lowering injuries to both subjects and officers alike," Gibbons said. "In fact, Taser estimates that over 200,000 lives have been saved as a result of Taser display and/or use."

That said, he also acknowledged there is a risk to some, such as the infants and the elderly as well as those with cardiac devices or on certain medication. Gibbons said that there would be training and the devices would not be used in those situations. Gibbons also noted that the distance of a Taser would allow for flexibility that using batons or dogs would not.

Gibbons said there guidelines for the use of a Taser. They can be used on people threatning to commit suicide, for instance and are used in incidents of active resistance.

"We looked at our use of force and response data and decided they would make a responsible addition or our toolbox, especially when the latest changes occurred to the AG Guidelines," Gibbons said.

Gibbons said that the state Attorney General’s office and the Morris County Prosecutor's office receives not only a report on the incident, but video from the camera mounted on it following its use.

Gibbons noted that the entire cost would be around $24,000 and has a target set for seeing them on the street.

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