Police detective obtains grant to enlarge taser arsenal

by Kathleen Steele Gaivin

The Sagamore Hills Police Department purchased six new tasers, paid for by a grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program through the efforts of Det. Victoria Miavitz.

The police department had three tasers before the purchase of six Taser x26p units for $6,667, bringing its arsenal to nine.

The Justice Assistance Grant program is the major source of federal criminal justice funding to states and communities.

“That’s almost $6,700 the department didn’t have to pay,” Miavitz said. “I’m excited about it.”

The detective said that each full-time officer is assigned a taser. Part-time officers carry a taser on a rotation while they are working.

According to Miavitz, all Sagamore Hills officers are already trained in taser use.

“Every year we have to take a new certification, a new test, and that keeps us up to date annually,” she said.

She added that tasers are rarely used. The last instance she recalled, five or six months ago, involved a suspect armed with a gun.

“What’s nice about this is it gives us an alternative before we have to use deadly force,” Miavitz said.

Tasers last several years and are typically replaced only when new, improved technology improves the weapon, she said. Officers check the equipment daily and replace the batteries as needed. The cartridge must be replaced after the weapon is used.

Over the years, grant-writer Miavitz has obtained almost $100,000 for the police department for purchases that include a new fingerprinting system, computers, bulletproof vests and body cameras, among other items.