Chesapeake Police Department Taser Acquisition Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of Chesapeake will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $60,347 to purchase law enforcement equipment. The Chesapeake Police Department will purchase 41 handheld tasers. The acquisition of tasers for use by police officers will provide officers another reliable, less-than-lethal tool as a means of incapacitating dangerous and/or combative suspects, and increase officer safety by deploying a less-than-lethal device that allows officers to keep a safe distance from a potentially dangerous suspect. The police department will also purchase spare taser cartridges, training taser cartridges, non-alcohol based incapacitation spray, and taser training suits.

NCA/NCF