The Anacortes City Council authorized a contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. for replacement tasers after police staff explained current devices are four generations old and will no longer be supported by the manufacturer.

Chief Floyd told the council the department currently carries the X26 model, released in 2013, and said the Model 10 offers expanded range and new de-escalation features. "The Taser 10 is capable about 45 feet," he said, adding that the device provides an arc and a warning sound that can itself be a de-escalation tool and that it integrates with the city's evidence-management systems.

Chief Floyd described tasers as a mid-level force option used after de-escalation efforts: "This would fall under, the category of, mid level uses of force." He said the department averages "2 or less per year" in taser deployments out of thousands of citizen contacts annually.

Council members asked about training compatibility, VR simulation, contract length and cost. Staff said the contract is structured over five years, with a total contract amount of $136,435.20 and ownership of equipment after the five-year term.

Council moved and adopted the authorization by roll-call vote. Supporters emphasized that the upgrade was needed because the current model will no longer be supported and argued the device can reduce the likelihood of deadly-force encounters; opponents were not recorded in the meeting minutes.