BY MATT SCHOOLEY

By the beginning of January, Bow police officers will be armed with a new tool to help subdue suspects in a controlled manner.

Bow Police Chief Erin Commerford said that by the end of the year or early January, the department will be ready to use six recently purchased tasers.

Commerford said the decision came after thorough research, particularly focusing on the feedback on other departments in the area.

“It came up because there are 126 departments that have them,” said Commerford. “After interacting with other departments, we were aware of what they were about. All the input, all the feedback we got was positive.”

Each cruiser will be equipped with a taser, and one will be left at the station.

One of the biggest benefits to having the tasers will be that officers can control a single suspect without having any negative effects on any citizens who may be in close proximity.

“We can use them in a confined space. It’s something we can use that isn’t lethal, but instead of using spray and there were other people, they would feel the effects of it,” said Commerford. “This can be used solely on the people we want contact with.”

While the cost was $1,000 for each taser, Bow taxpayers will not pay for the equipment. Although the tasers are already in the department’s hands, they will not be used until every member has taken training on how to properly using them.

“It’s very im

portant to have that training, and we won’t use them without it,” said Commerford, who also said it is a case of having the tasers if necessary, but she hopes to never have to use them.

For Commerford, one convincing argument for purchasing the tasers came from a member of the New Hampshire State Police.

“There’s a captain in the State Police who said now that they have them, he wouldn’t send an officer out without one,” said Commerford. “It’ll be a great tool to have.”