Port Townsend City Council approves purchase of new Tasers

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A controversial city purchase of 16 Tasers for a sum not to exceed $52,200.03 was unanimously approved during Monday’s Port Townsend City Council meeting.

City Manager John Mauro introduced Port Townsend Police Chief Olson’s first public presentation to the council, stating, “He’s just really stepped into a really fierce, competitive environment.”

Mauro added that Olson intends to be a regular presenter and attendee in future city council meetings.

Olson said the purchase of 16 new Tasers was necessary because only three were still under warranty at the department.

The screens on some of the devices have gone black, leaving it impossible to tell if the device is charged or not, and that’s a liability, the chief added.

The department’s three warranted devices are circulated among officers on duty; Olson said he does not have a Taser of his own.

“Port Townsend Police Department has had Tasers for nearly 20 years,” Olson said, “so this really isn’t anything new.”

With the purchase defrayed over a five-year span – the life expectancy of a ballistic vest – the purchase cost of the bundle would be around $10,000 to $11,000 annually.

Currently, the department spends between $3,500 and $4,000 every year for Taser maintenance and training.

The devices aren’t used much, the chief also noted.

“Here in Port Townsend, in the last three years, we’ve actually only taken our Tasers out on three occasions,” Olson said.

On two of the occasions, just showing the device was enough to get a person to comply with officers’ commands.

“We’re not out here Tasing a lot of people,” he added.

Regarding the request for 16 devices, Olson said that number would equip each commissioned officer on the force, with one to spare.

“We’ve had this option for less-lethal [means] around us for almost 20 years,” he said.

Councilmember Pamela Adams asked what other options were determined as less-lethal.

Batons and pepper spray, the chief said.

“In my nearly 33 years, I have never struck anybody with a baton,” Olson said, adding that use requires a close proximity to another person.

Officers do carry pepper spray, he said, which is best used at a range of 4 to 6 feet.

“You really have to know when and where to use it,” he said. In close quarters or in public, the spray has the potential to affect the officer and bystanders in addition to the target.

Tasers, he explained, can be deployed from 25 feet away, out of the deadly zone for edged weapons (such as knives) which is 21 feet.

Councilmember Ariel Speser supported the purchase, and noted she had spoken to the chief earlier in the week about the gear.

“I do think there is good basis to approve the Taser measure tonight,” she said. “The officers need these Tasers to do their jobs.”

“I’m prepared to vote ‘yes’ tonight,” Speser said.

Councilmember Amy Howard said she’d done research since the last conversation about the Taser bundle purchase. 

She stated that Tasers have proven safer than many other means, such as batons, and while she didn’t like the conclusions she found, it seemed the best option currently available.

Deputy Mayor David Faber noted the proposed purchase wasn’t popular.

“We received quite a few public comments,” he said.

He then acknowledged the broader issues facing those in uniform who are responsible for keeping the public safe.

“We’re asking our police officers to do an awful lot right now,” Faber said, “including [with] mental health issues.”