The Warsaw Police Department was given the nod of approval to enter into a warranty program to make sure patrol officers are armed with effective Taser equipment.

WPD Chief Scott Whitaker presented the warranty and replacement program to the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety this morning saying that, under the Taser® Assurance Plan, the department would ultimately save up to 35 percent on Taser expenses over a 5-year period and immediately see a savings of 26 percent on outright purchases.

The warranty plan provides no-cost repairs and free unit replacements at the end of the 5 year period. With the agreement, the WPD will receive new Tasers at a discounted price and receive free replacement units at the end of the 5 year warranty. “The initial cost (per Taser) is much less under the assurance program,” said Whitaker. Every officer on patrol carries a Taser, which amounts to about 32 units owned by the department.

Much like bulletproof vests and uniforms, Tasers also require occasional replacement and Whitaker said that is usually about every five years.

“So basically what this boils down to is you’re paying $1,175 per unit and another $1,000 over five years, so $21,175 over 5 years,” said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer in summing up the WPD’s request. Without the warranty plan, a Taser usually costs about $1,500 per unit plus the costs of repairs and replacement.

The B.O.W. board, which consists of Thallemer and city councilmen Charlie Smith and Jeff Grose, unanimously approved the Taser® Assurance Program.

Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker, far left, and Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer welcomed new police officer Jordan Foreman to the Warsaw Police Department. Foreman, pictured with his wife, children and parents, was sworn in during the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety this morning.

In other WPD related news, Jordan A. Foreman was sworn in as the WPD’s newest full-time police officer.

The B.O.W. also agreed to continue a relationship with Larry Layne Sumner as the WPD chaplain. As a volunteer chaplain, Sumner will provide emotional and spiritual support for the officers as needed.

Finally, the WPD asked the B.O.W. to contract with KEMRAD for special event traffic control. Whitaker said KEMRAD has been “very responsive” in working special events like concerts in the park and even power failures and natural disasters. The $5,000 contract was approved.

The B.O.W. meets the first and third Fridays of each month at 10:30 a.m.