PEKIN, Ill. — Updated tasers for the police department were approved Monday night by the Pekin City Council.
In Pekin, 47 officers carry tasers. Nineteen of those tasers are out of warranty.
“They are starting to age out,” Pekin Police Chief John Dossey said. “So, we’re trying to replace and have them available as they begin to fail.”
Mayor Mark Luft said tasers are a very important aspect for the police department.
“For protecting themselves and getting a situation under control with as little injury as possible,” Luft said.
The cartridges in a taser do expire, and they are not cheap to replace.
“If I remember right, it’s probably somewhere between 25 and 30 grand,” Luft said.
Luft said this kind of decision comes before the council every few years to approve updated tasers.
All 19 of the out of warranty tasers will be replaced as needed.
“They are only utilized if they have to be. It’s not a toy. It’s something very important,” Luft said.
The council approved the purchase unanimously.
