Tasers are one of the most effective less than lethal options available to Officers today.  The current Tasers are aging and no longer under their 5 year warranty. The existing single shot units have been in service for 11 years, but are beginning to fail at an alarming rate.

The Billings Police Department (BPD) wishes to purchase 2 shot model Tasers to increase officer safety.  In total, 90 Tasers, cartridges and batteries will be purchased to replace the aging and unreliable Tasers.  This purchase will outfit all front line patrol officers with new Tasers totaling $144,959.30.

The City Council may:
• Approve the purchase of 90 Tasers, cartridges, and batteries, or
• Not approve the purchase of 90 Tasers, cartridges, and batteries which would result in officers working with obsolete equipment. 

The Department proposes to purchase 90 Tasers, cartridges, and batteries totaling $144,959.30.  $5,000 will be funded from grant funds, $20,000 from Drug Forfeiture funds and $119,959.30 from the Public Safety Equipment Replacement Fund.  

Staff recommends that City Council approve the purchase of 90 Tasers, cartridges, and batteries totaling $144,959.30.