May 7, 2012 - Safety Committee
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 7, 2012
6:30pm
Mayor Mike Schwab Chairman Tom Hilliard
Councilman Dave Duff Councilman Dave Godwin
Council/Board Member Jay Huff Councilman Steve Tharp
Council/Board Member Sherri Bichsel Village Admin. Steve Hartman
Clerk-Treasurer Kris King Chief Harry Porter
Sgt. Denise Rossiter Patrolman Nathan Taylor
Officer Chad Shetler (Taser Trainer)
Residents: Robert Rogich, Dale Fox, and William Lynch.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Tom Hilliard.
The meeting had been called to discuss Tasers for the Police Department.
Officer Chad Shetler discussed the following questions concerning the Tasers:
Increase in insurance? No difference than a firearm
Life expectancy of Taser? 10-12 years
Certification-how often? Once a year
Under what circumstances are they discharged? Bar fights, domestic calls
How long are training sessions? Initial session-6 hours then up to instructors
Where would they certify? NavarreCivic Center
How much does the training cost? $25/hr for training/$231 for field cartridges
HasNavarreever fired theirs? Yes
Do the officers have to get Tasered in order to be certified? No
Does Brewster's number of calls warrant these? Last weekend illustrates they are needed
There was more discussion on how often officers are alone and it was stated that even the red dot the gun provides is a deterrence.
Officer Shetler demonstrated the noise that the Taser made when discharged. It can shoot 25 feet or a dry stun. It incapacitates for five seconds. The charge stays between the probes. Standing in water doesn't affect it. Size doesn't matter and it also works on dogs.
The importance of having a good policy was discussed and Chief Porter already has one started.
Chairman Hilliard will make a recommendation at the regular Council meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:48pm.
Respectfully submitted,
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Chairperson Tom Hilliard