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Ashland police outline upgrade to Axon Taser 10, emphasize VR de-escalation training
Summary
Police Chief Todd Gellert told the Ashland Board of City Commissioners the department plans to replace older conducted-energy weapons with the Axon Taser 10, citing greater range, multiple-cartridge capability and virtual-reality training; commissioners asked about body cameras and received assurances that officers will continue to use body-worn cameras.
Police Chief Todd Gellert presented the Ashland Police Department's proposed technology upgrade to the board on Dec. 11, saying the department seeks to replace aging conducted-energy weapons with the Axon Taser 10 to improve officer and public safety.
Gellert said the department first adopted conducted-energy devices in 2014 and now needs replacements because manufacturers discontinued technical support for older models. He described operational benefits of the Axon Taser 10, including an asserted maximum range of "over 45 feet," a magazine that holds up to 10 single cartridges for sequential deployment, daylight-visible laser targeting and automatic event logging that uploads firing and incident data to a management system.
"This device offers significant advancement over previous models primarily in increased distance and range for the officer, accuracy and the ability to deploy multiple targeted probes," Chief Gellert said, adding that the technology is paired with virtual-reality training and software updates the department believes will enhance de-escalation skills.
Gellert also highlighted accountability features: automatic logging of events and firing logs, firmware updates managed through docking stations, and an asset-tracking system that communicates with the vendor for cartridge replacements. He said the department has already integrated VR-based scenarios to train officers for interactions involving mental-health crises, autism and dementia.
A commissioner asked whether the new devices include built-in cameras. Gellert replied that officers will continue to rely on body-worn cameras, indicating Tasers do not replace standard body-cam evidence collection.
Gellert said the financing for the upgrade is structured as yearly installments over a five-year period that bundle replacements, cartridges, training and software updates. He said the department's legal team reviewed the program and that officers received early exposure to the training package.
The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking Chief Gellert for the report; no formal ordinance or vote on procurement appeared on the Dec. 11 agenda.
