Hazelwood Police Officers Get New Tasers

The Hazelwood Police Department (HPD) is replacing its arsenal of stun guns. Hazelwood City Council approved allowing HPD to purchase new Taser brand stun guns for just under $20,000.

Hazelwood city manager Edwin Carlstrom made a recommendation based on Hazelwood Police chief Gregg Hall's need for 11 new Tasers. Hall said the need for the new Tasers has arisen due to 11 Tasers breaking throughout the past 18 months. He said the models are no longer manufactured and the department took parts from unrepairable Tasers in an effot to keep a few working.

HPD will get the Taser X-26Ps and all of its accessories. Hazelwood is contracting Ed Roehr Safety Products and the exact price for the new equipment is  $19,654.

Carlstrom said the current Tasers were purchased in 2004 and 2007 and the estimated life span of a Taser is five years. This was not a budgeted expenses so the funds will come from Hazelwood's Capital Improvement Fund. Instead of the department purchasing a new message, it will get the Tasers. The message board will be moved as an expense on next fiscal year's budget.

Not every HPD officer carries a Taser. Hall said every officer under the rank of Captain who has completed training is assigned a Taser with a camera, holster, and cartridges.

The new Tasers come with a one year warranty. Hall said four year extended warranties were also purchased.

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