Tasers issued to 10 percent of New York cops

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

NEW YORK (AFP) — Beginning Wednesday about 10 percent of New York police officers will be packing new Tasers in their holsters -- stun guns which human rights groups warn are linked to hundreds of deaths.

Versions of the controversial electric weapon have been used by the New York Police Department (NYPD) since 1984 but policy required storing them in police cruisers because of their cumbersome size.

A new, lighter "M-26" model about the size of a handgun will be added to the belts of 3,050 sergeants, allowing law and order personnel to avoid when possible the use of traditional firearms, according to city Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

"While smaller departments have opted to equip all of their patrol officers with them, we have been more cautious...