The Naples Police Department is the first agency in the Gulf Coast to use the Axon Taser 10 , a new model aimed at improving officer safety and de-escalating situations.
After more than a decade with an older model, Naples officers now have a major upgrade. The Taser 10 has an extended range of 45 feet, up from the previous 25-foot range, and is designed to improve accuracy while reducing the need for lethal force.
"But that's the last resort, using a firearm to protect somebody. But if we can do that in a non-lethal, less lethal force option like a taser, it's a huge enhancement for our officers and a big improvement for the community as well," said Lt. Bryan McGinn with the Naples Police Department.
The new Taser model also features 10 individual probes in a single cartridge, a green laser for better visibility during daylight, and improved accuracy.
Naples police officers typically deploy Tasers about three to four times a year.
"It's safer for everybody. You can be further away and give verbal commands to try and de-escalate the situation versus, I mean, when you look at 25 feet, it's really not that far. Being able to be 40 feet plus is a huge enhancement for us," McGinn said.
The Taser 10 is part of a larger technology upgrade for the department. Through a bundle with Axon, the company that manufactures law enforcement tech, Naples police will also be equipped with updated body-worn cameras and updated dashcams. These devices will sync with the new Tasers to improve coordination and transparency.
"So really being able to package it all together is great. So, our in-car cameras talk to our body-worn cameras. Our body-worn cameras are linked to our tasers, and when we deploy a taser, the body-worn camera automatically kicks on," McGinn said.
The department is scheduled to complete training on the new Taser this month and will begin officially using it in January.