In a unanimous vote by Lake Wales city commissioners at Tuesday night's meeting, the Lake Wales Police Department now has the go-ahead to purchase 24 X26 Tasers. Also approved is the purchase of Taser Cams, holsters, projectile cartridges, software and training cartridges to improve the police department's defense system.

The tremendous growth of Lake Wales has placed a strain on law enforcement officers who constantly strive to provide adequate personnel resources during high priority calls for service, commissioners were told. Lake Wales, which exceeds 16 square miles, is a considerable jurisdiction, causing officers to drive sizable distances between calls for service, officials said.

When a high-priority call for service is reported to the police department, a primary and secondary officer will respond in emergency mode. The primary officer generally arrives on the scene first and may be confronted by an extremely combative and violent offender. The secondary officer may arrive on scene four to 10 minutes after the primary officer. In such a high-risk situation, law enforcement officers require an effective nonlethal defense system that is immediately deployable.

"I thoroughly support the use of tasers," Lake Wales Police Chief Herbert E. Gillis said. "They are less lethal than handguns, and protect our officers a lot better. For instance, we had a man wanted for attempted murder hiding underneath a house. The taser worked beautifully in that situation to bring resolve without injury."

The X26 Taser is an electronic control device that can immediately stop an extremely combative and violent offender by causing an immediate loss of neuromuscular control for the duration of the impulse. Offenders can recover immediately, because electricity cannot be stored by the human body.

Officers will also be using the X26 Taser Cam, an audio-video recording device that is activated any time the unit is armed.

"Once an officer removes the X26, it automatically begins to capture information prior to, during and after the potential deployment of the device," said Gillis. "This provides for accountability, video evidence and protection against complaints. Video doesn't lie. It captures events as they unfold."

Mayor Kathy Manry was cautious before voting her approval. "I've read in the paper about people killed after a taser was used."

"There will unfortunately always be a percentage of people who die in custody," Gillis said. "Whether tased, cuffed or sprayed, it happens due to heart conditions or drug use. Our officers are injured far more often. We will also have the utmost of training in using these tasers. We will be required by the state to take a four-hour training course in accordance with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission standards. We'll also be retrained every year."

The funding for this newly approved method of control, having a cost of slightly more than $31,000, will come from monies deposited in the Police Services Impact Fee Trust Account and the Police Forfeiture Fund to purchase Tasers.

Lakes Wales commissioners approval of this new method of protection for police comes on the heels of a Nov. 27 approval by Winter Haven commissioners to purchase 85 new Taser guns. The Winter Haven Police Department used money seized from felons to cover the $78,000 cost for the equipment. As of June 28, 2005, 240 law enforcement agencies in Florida had electronic control devices in use. In Polk County, the Haines City Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Mulberry Police Department and Polk County Sheriff's Office use Tasers.

Although the Lake Wales Police Department recognized the need for Tasers some time ago, procurement was intentionally delayed until the Florida Legislature formally regulated their use.

"The new tasers will be a great tool," Gillis said. "They are designed not to cause injury or death and will keep our officers far safer."