The Centralia Police Department (CPD), through approval from the Centralia City Council Tuesday, has purchased 30 new Tasers from Axon in a five-year contract.
CPD’s current Tasers were acquired over five years ago and are now outside of their manufacturer’s warranty period, according to the council’s agenda report on the contract.
Over the past several months, officers have reported an increasing number of failed deployments during field use. These failures include issues such as inconsistent cartridge shots and battery degradation, which compromise the device’s reliability in critical situations.
The total cost of the program is $157,209, or $31,441 per year, which is included in the department’s current budget.
Tasers serve as a vital, less-lethal tool for law enforcement, allowing officers to deescalate potentially violent encounters without resorting to deadly force. They provide a safe-distance option to subdue non-compliant or threatening individuals, reducing the risk of injury to both officers and suspects.
Recent failed deployments and device failures have created uncertainty and a lack of trust in the current devices, according to the agenda report. The current equipment’s unreliability poses significant risks, including potential escalation to higher levels of force or increased liability for the city.
The comprehensive five-year agreement includes procurement of new Tasers sufficient to equip all patrol officers, specialized units and community service officers; all necessary training for officers on device operations, safety and legal considerations; ongoing maintenance, including software updates, hardware repairs and warranty coverage; and supplies such as replacement cartridges, batteries and accessories.
