Thirty-six new hand-held tasers have arrived at the Anchorage Police Department. Police Spokesman Lieutenant Dave Parker says the new tasers will bolster the number of patrol officers carrying the weapons to about half. The tasers were ordered in July, shortly after two fatal officer-involved shootings. The new tazers can fire two-shots in a row. The other 100 or so tasers used by officer now fire just one shot. Officials say studies show that when tasers are available to officers, there is a reduction in injury to officers and to suspects. In order for a taser to be used, there must be another officer present with a firearm. The tasers were paid for through a 2011 state appropriation. They cost $1,300 each. That's between 2 and 3 times the cost of the handguns the officers carry.
APD Adds More Tasers
