News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Algood Police were issued new handguns and Tasers Wednesday.
Chief Dale Armour said the department’s previous Tasers were becoming outdated and were in need of replacing. The new Tasers will be connected with the officers’ body cameras.
“When you turn the Taser on or start to deploy it, it automatically makes sure your camera is on so there’s always a record of it,” Armour said. “The old Tasers would not do that.”
Armour said the new 9 mm handguns are smaller yet just as effective as the previous .45 caliber guns.
“The pistols that were purchased years ago were very large as far as hand size,” Armour said. “Some of the newer officers were having trouble holding that gun.”
Armour said the department saved enough money on training ammunition to purchase the new handguns.
Police vehicles have also been upgraded with new software from Verizon, tracking each vehicle’s locations and potential mechanical issues.
“We now know what that car is doing at any moment,” Armour said. “It sets off an alert if it goes outside a geo-fence.”
Armour hopes the new Taser and vehicle programs establish better accountability within the community.
