Crime & Safety
Newport Police To Purchase Tasers, Body Cameras With Grant Award
Newport PD plans to use nearly $15,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to replace aging Tasers with integrated body cameras.
NEWPORT, RI — The Newport Police Department has been awarded nearly $15,000 in grants from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Formula Program. The U.S. Department of Justice funds the program for grants to assist state and law departments in reducing crime and violation.
Newport Police plans to use the funds on purchasing new Tasers and body cameras. The Taser technology the department is using is three generations old with the manufacturer warning that Tasers more than five years old have electronic components and hardware with an increased chance of failure. Newport Police are replacing the equipment in use with the X2 Taser.
The X2 Taser integrates with the body cameras. The camera is automatically activated when the Taser is deployed. Newport PD plans to purchase eight X2 Taser packages for frontline officers and supervisors.
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Comments and questions should be directed to Lt. Corey Huck at the Newport Police Department, 120 Broadway, Newport, R.I. 02840.
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