LANCASTER – Last October, Waste Management of Southern California donated $50,000 to the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Boosters to be used to purchase less lethal weapons for the Lancaster and Palmdale Sheriff’s Stations.
Wednesday afternoon, authorities unveiled their new purchase – 50 state-of-the-art Tasers.
“The great thing about these tools is that they should result in a lower occasion of significant force and a lower occasion of injury for both the suspects and deputies as a result of what these devices can do,” said Captain Pat Nelson of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. “We’re really looking forward to getting them deployed so that anyone at our station who wants to begin his shift with a Taser can do so.”
Forty of the new Tasers will be distributed at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station and 10 of the Tasers will go to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, Nelson said.
“These tools are very vital for the deputies in the field,” said Captain Don Ford of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station. “They reduce injury, they reduce uses of deadly force.”
The new Tasers are smaller and lighter, and they feature a laser sighting system and other improvements that will give deputies more accuracy and convenience in high risk situations.
Additionally, the new Tasers can record each usage, so when someone makes a claim about how many times a Taser was fired, the department can actually verify it, Ford said.
“It’s very important that, because we ask a lot of our officers, we give them all the tools that’s necessary for them to carry out their jobs and protect the citizens,” said AV Sheriff’s Boosters President Marvin Crist.
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Jim Nagel says
Why wasn’t the Tasers divided equal between both Stations. Did WM forget that there’s a Palmdale Sheriff Boosters. Been around since 1992, WM is located in the City of Palmdale. Doesn’t sound like a fair deal to the Palmdale Deputy’s.
Lola says
I need one of those.
ed says
Will these tazers replace the officers guns? If not, why not?
AV Toqn Crier says
The cops still need guns. When faced with a firearm they need to respond in kind. But for dealing with suspects who do not pose a deadly threat, these things are great. I wish we lived in a society where the cops need only a night stick. Sadly, that’s not the case.
John Howard says
AWESOME!!!!
Now all we need is 50 GoPro HD3 cameras on chest mounts for every deputy with a taser and a youtube feed so we can watch the action. Almost nothing is more entertaining than watching someone get tased. I swear that I urinate more often (from laughter) than the person getting tased just watching the videos of knuckleheads acting a fool only to be tased into submission..
I’m actually going to see about getting on a ride-along just so I can see the taser in action.. joking.