Tupelo Police Department Justice Assistance Grant/Taser Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and 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, including 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 and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of Tupelo plans to utilize grant funding to purchase Tasers and related equipment in order to help officers avoid the use of unnecessary lethal force. Tasers fall one level below lethal force on the use-of-force continuum and can be helpful in subduing violent or combative suspects while enabling officers to avoid significant injury to themselves, to nearby civilians, and to suspects.

NCA/NCF