WINSTON-SALEM (AP) ó Police in one of North Carolina’s largest cities will be getting Tasers to go with their handguns.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported that City Council voted 5-2 Monday night to spend about $550,000 over the next five years to make sure each officer is equipped with the devices.
Tasers shoot barbs that carry electric current to temporarily paralyze a suspect.
The city hopes to pay for the 550 weapons with money collected during drug arrests. The agreement will provide all the weapons, but spreads the payments over five years.
Police Chief Scott Cunningham has said Tasers would give Winston-Salem officers an option other than guns to deal with uncooperative suspects.
Some Forsyth County sheriff’s deputies already carry Tasers.
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Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com