On Nov. 9, the Carroll City Council approved the purchase of 13 Tasers and the necessary accessories for the Carroll Police Department. Chief Brad Burke said the units have been ordered, but before their arrival the department needed to develop and have approved a policy for their use. He presented the council with a proposed policy at Monday night’s meeting, saying this should provide guidance and restrictions for the officers on how the Tasers are to be used and stored. He said the policy has partially been developed by studying what has and hasn’t worked for others.
Council member Mike Kots said he had learned a biohazard is created after the Taser is fired and asked Burke about measures to address that in the policy. Burke said handling of biohazards is covered under a separate policy, but in addition, officers will be trained in how to remove and handle the materials to minimize exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Jerry Fleshner asked whether these would be left in the building when an officer was not on duty. Burke responded the officers would follow the same procedures outlined in their firearms policy.
Before approving the new policy, Clay Haley asked for more details about device training that will be taking place and whether or not it was mandated that each officer experience being shot by one of the electronic control devices.
The council approved the policy and Burke said they are hoping to have the new Tasers in hand by the end of this year.
