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(REPUBLICAN FILE)

CHICOPEE - The Police Department is considering arming officers with Tasers to cut down on the number of people who are injured on the job.

"The advantage is they don't have to go one-on-one with people," Police Chief William R. Jebb said. "There is less risk to the officers."

Tasers, or stun guns, are electronic weapons which send out a shock to incapacitate a combative suspect. They are becoming more common in departments.

Springfield is in the process of ordering them for the first time. Police officers in a number of Western Massachusetts departments including Greenfield, West Springfield, Granville, Deerfield, Pittsfield, Westfield and Belchertown already use them. In terms of larger cities, Worcester has them, while Boston does not.

The weapons are not without controversy, some question their use saying they have contributed to the deaths of some people who had serious reactions to the electric shock. Others say they do not always stop a combative suspect.

But Jebb said on average eight officers are out injured at most times and many of the injures come from subduing suspects physically. Officers only draw their guns in extreme situations, he said.

The price of one stun gun averages between $1,100 and $1,200, which includes equipment needed with the gun. The Chicopee Police Department has applied for a federal grant to fund the Tasers and training for the officers.

"We wouldn't purchase a Taser for every officer," he said.

There are 135 officers on the force and the department would likely purchase around 25, Jebb said.

The stun guns would be treated in a similar fashion to other weapons like department shotguns, which are typically available in each cruiser when an officer is on patrol, he said.

The idea of using Tasers is just one of a number of changes Jebb has made since being hired as chief in the spring. He has also restored walking, bicycle and motorcycle patrols and instituted a social media campaign to better inform residents about crime and crime-fighting initiatives in the city.

