SENECA COUNTY, OH (Toledo News Now) - Tasers have become as common a tool for police officers as their side arm and police car, but smaller departments have not been able to afford the non-lethal weapons.
The Seneca County Sheriff's Office is one of those. Deputies there have never had non-lethal deterrents like mace or tasers issued to them. But now, with some grant money and the help of Seneca County commissioners, all deputies will be armed with tasers.
"[In the past,] some of the deputies made a purchase and carried their own, but this is going to put a taser in the hands of each one of the road deputies," explained Sheriff Bill Eckelberry.
With Seneca County sprawling 545 square miles, deputies could sometimes find themselves alone in a violent situation. Now, they will have an alternative to their firearms for dealing with crime.
"If they get into a situation and the backup officer is maybe 5-10 minutes away, it gives them a tool to use to help avoid any injury to themselves and to the individuals they're dealing with," the sheriff said.
The county commissioners approved to pay $5,500 on top of a $9,000 state grant to purchase the tasers. The sheriff says it will be money well spent.
