Dover-Foxcroft police given Taser stun guns

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Dover-Foxcroft Police Department is the first Piscataquis County law enforcement agency to obtain Taser stun guns for use in the line of duty.

The department has purchased two guns, and three of the department’s officers have received training to use them, according to Dover-Foxcroft Police Chief Dennis Dyer.

Dyer said that he, Lt. Scott Arno, Officer Charlie Edgerly and former Dover-Foxcroft police Officer David Wilson, who is employed by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department, have been certified in the use of the Taser gun.

“It’s a good tool,” Dyer said Monday. “These are nonlethal weapons that are used by many police departments.”

The device, which has two probes that come out of the end of the gun, administers 50,000 volts of current that temporarily disables a person, according to Dyer.

There have been several incidents in the past when officers have been confronted by individuals wielding knives, Dyer said.

Had they had the use of stun guns, there would have been no need for reinforcements and matters would have been under control much more quickly, he said.

The guns will be used during very specific situations, according to Dyer.