Sudbury Police Officers Will Soon Carry Tasers

The Sudbury Police Department is increasing its options for protecting the public and themselves by adding Tasers, Chief Scott Nix told the Board of Selectmen during its Sept. 17 meeting, which was taped by SudburyTV.

According to Nix, the decision to add the Taser X2, an electrical control device, was due partially to an incident where an officer was injured after the use of pepper spray failed to subdue a suspect. 

"For years and years, we've tried to discover better ways to reduce injuries to officers and suspects," Nix said. "For years it was a sidearm and a billy club. We've evolved to service batons ... and now we have the current pepper spray.

"The problem with those are they are all pain compliant objectives. When we deal with a lot of individuals who might be intoxicated, and or emotionally unstable, those pain compliance don't always work." 

The Taser X2 shoots two laser electrodes, which stay connected to the main unit.

According to policeone.com, the X2 provides more than 500 shots and is resistant to rain, humidity, and other elements. 

"It kind of freezes a subject and gives us a window of opportunity to take them into custody without injuring the person or the officer," Nix said.

All officers will be provided with training before being allowed to use them, Nix said, but added all officers will still carry firearms. 

"We won’t bring a Taser to a knife or a gunfight," he said.