Vergennes police adding Tasers; officials cite safety, cost benefits

Posted on September 30, 2010 |

• Vergennes

By Andy Kirkaldy

VERGENNES — The Vergennes Police Department has joined a small, but growing, list of state law enforcement agencies to add Taser stun guns to their equipment lists.

Chief George Merkel said the department now owns two $1,000 Tasers, which he believes are a safer tool for subduing suspects than other options at police officers’ disposal — physical restraint, pepper spray or batons.

Merkel said enough people are now familiar with Tasers that even their potential use can defuse situations.

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