Monterey County Sheriff Issues Tasers to Officers

For the first time, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department is issuing Taser stun guns to officers, hoping the nonlethal electrical devices will help quell resistance from suspects.

“This is the safest of the least-lethal weapons we’ve found,” said Cmdr. Jim Cronin, who is in charge of training.

Officers have been handling about 20 Tasers for the last two weeks. The stun guns, which produce up to 50,000 volts, temporarily lock up a target’s muscles.

The Sheriff’s Department is following the lead of several other agencies in Monterey County, including the Seaside, Sand City and Salinas police departments, which have been using Tasers for several months.