Lack of Tasers at Anchorage Police Department Boils Down to Money

It’s been three days since an Anchorage police officer shot and killed a man in his own backyard

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Jun 12, 2012 at 8:38 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 13, 2012 at 8:08 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - It’s been three days since an Anchorage police officer shot and killed a man in his own backyard in Mountain View over the weekend.

Several questions still remain, including whether or not deadly force could have been avoided if the officer had a taser on hand.

Lieutenant Dave Parker, a spokesperson for the Anchorage Police Department, said it boils down to money.

Parker says only about 40 percent of its officers, or about 150, are equipped with them.

He says a taser can cost up to a $1,000, depending on the model. That’s on average twice as much as a standard police gun.

The department is expected to get 36 more Tasers for officers, with money approved by the legislature. But those won’t be available until next year.

Another question that has come up is why the officer didn't shoot 26-year-old Shane Tasi on a different part of his body.

Police say although that may have seemed like a logical step, they say it's not realistic.

“That’s not a time to try to be shooting feet or legs, or guns out of peoples hands, it just doesn't work that way, that is a physical impossibility,” said Parker.

APD plans to hold a news conference sometime this week to answer questions about the deadly shooting.
 

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Doug said on Tuesday, Jun 12 at 9:02 PM

Now the Anchorage Police will be shooting everybody with Tasers. Is that what we want? Now in addition to killing people with guns, they'll be shooting everyone with Tasers. Brilliant. Hooray.

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Money said on Tuesday, Jun 12 at 9:42 PM

Stop wasting it then. Thieves.

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Big Dan said on Tuesday, Jun 12 at 10:09 PM

I am looking at a gun distributors catalog right now, they have tasers priced from 285 bucks to 750 bucks. Some one needs to do some research at the purchasing department at APD!

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TheWestWing said on Tuesday, Jun 12 at 11:15 PM

Legislation sets the budget for our Police Department. Police Department sets the issuing of Department Equipment. Finally, ...Police Officer gets called out to the roughest patrol beat in all of Alaska only with what the budget allows him to have. Hmmmmm? So why are we questioning the protocols of the Anchorage Police Department when pertaining to the use of DEADLY FORCE? Condolences for the victims family.

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