Bergen County Police to Use Stun Guns

Two dozen officers with the Bergen County Police Department have been authorized to carry stun guns.The county purchased 20 of the devices, which are equipped with video cameras. Half will go to patrol officers and the rest will be used by the county's SWAT team.

Police Chief Brian Higgins tells The Record newspaper half of the county's roughly two dozen SWAT calls last year involved emotionally disturbed people. Higgins says the stun guns give officers the option of not using lethal force in such situations.

New Jersey was the last state in the nation to authorize the devices in 2006. The state Attorney general's Office clarified training requirements this year.

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