The Northampton Borough Council approved a request for officers Dan Howard and John Shoemaker to attend an Axon Taser instructor course hosted by Lehigh Township Police Department in September 2025. Council was told the course “will cost $1,790 total for both officers.”

Chief Kadingo explained the approved plan is to have the two trained officers return and instruct other borough officers locally so the department does not have to send all officers to outside training. “This is then these 2 gentlemen instruct the rest of the officers so that they don't need to go out,” Council member Trevor Stone said during clarification.

Council recorded a motion to approve the training and passed it by voice vote. The course was presented as a department training investment to build in-house instructor capacity; council did not attach additional conditions or a reporting schedule in the meeting record.