Newport authorizes five-year lease to replace aging taser inventory

The Board of Commissioners of the City of Newport approved a five-year lease to replace the police department's aging taser inventory, officials said.

Mayor Thomas L. Cadulli Jr. described the contract as "a 5 year lease, to replace our very, very aged taser inventory." He told the board the lease includes training and other support and that the total cost for the five-year term is "just nearly a $160,000."

Lieutenant Colonel (name not stated) told the board the current devices have been in service about 15 years and that the manufacturer no longer supplies parts. "They no longer even supply parts for these," the lieutenant colonel said, adding that when batteries fail the current weapons cannot be serviced.

The lieutenant colonel said the new lease includes a replacement plan for units that are damaged, lost or stolen and reiterated that tasers are the department's primary less-lethal option. A member of the board who identified themselves as not personally fond of the technology said they supported the purchase if it ensured the force had up-to-date equipment and asked whether the lease would allow for technology upgrades during the five-year term; staff said they were not certain the lease covers mid-term technology changes but confirmed a replacement plan for lost or damaged units.

Following discussion, the board called the roll and recorded unanimous approval. Commissioners voting "yes" on the measure were Commissioner Sutherland; Commissioner Radvonski; Vice Mayor Smith Morrow; Commissioner Recton; and Mayor Thomas L. Cadulli Jr.

The contract covers acquisition, training and a replacement arrangement; exact unit model names and the vendor's upgrade policy during the term were not specified in the meeting record. The board did not identify a mover or seconder on the public transcript of the item.