By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Connecticut State Police have introduced new less-lethal technology and upgraded body-worn cameras for troopers across the state.
• Troopers are being equipped with the TASER 10, a device that allows officers to deploy multiple individually targeted probes to subdue suspects.
• The upgrades are part of a 10-year, $120 million contract with Axon Enterprise, which includes weapons, cameras and training technology.
• New body-worn cameras include artificial intelligence tools and translation capabilities designed to assist communication during encounters.
• Officials say the technology rollout aims to expand non-lethal options and improve documentation of police interactions.
MERIDEN, CT — The Connecticut State Police have begun deploying upgraded less-lethal devices and new body-worn cameras for troopers as part of a statewide technology rollout aimed at expanding non-lethal options and enhancing documentation of police encounters.
During a demonstration at the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden, officials showcased the TASER 10, a next-generation conducted energy weapon that uses cartridges containing multiple probes that can be fired individually to different parts of a subject’s body. The system provides officers with additional opportunities to gain compliance without resorting to lethal force.
Troopers have been training on the new devices ahead of their deployment. Officials said the system allows officers to fire additional probes if the first attempt does not create an effective circuit, improving the likelihood that the device can safely subdue a suspect.
The rollout is part of a 10-year, $120 million agreement between the state police and Arizona-based Axon Enterprise that includes the conducted energy weapons, upgraded body-worn cameras and related technology systems.
The new body-worn cameras incorporate artificial intelligence tools and translation capabilities intended to assist officers when communicating with individuals who speak different languages while also improving video documentation of police interactions.