Roselle to arm police with Tasers

Roselle officials say they will arm their police officers with Tasers to help increase safety and reduce costs.

The village will spend about $18,300 on a dozen stun guns that also include cameras, officials said. The rechargeable cameras begin recording an encounter once the Taser's safety guard is removed, while the device records the time, date and length of deployment.

Chief James Kruger said the Tasers will reduce the chance of using excessive force during arrests and lessen workman's compensation claims and lawsuits that can result.

He said an Itasca officer armed with a stun gun recently helped during an incident in Roselle and was able to stop what could have been a deadly conflict.

Roselle is one of the last area towns to use such weapons. Officers in Bloomingdale, Streamwood, Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates already carry Tasers.

Kruger said one Roselle officer is out of commission for nine months with a knee injury and recent workman's compensation claims totaling $75,000 both of which may have been avoided had he been armed with a Taser.

“This will reduce officer injury and increase officer safety, he said.

The village is purchasing 10 units to arm all officers, sergeants and detectives who are on duty during any given shift, as well as two for backup.

Officers will regularly download any camera footage taken by the Tasers onto computers, officials said, so records can be preserved.

Trustee Kory Atkinson said businesses are helping to reduce purchase costs by donating $7,000. Kruger said the village will save more than $800 a year on batteries by opting for rechargeable units, while Trustee Terrence Wittman noted the deductible for one workman's compensation claim is $25,000.

“If you total up the savings, the device is almost free, Kruger said.