The Lakewood Police Department will soon be getting stun guns to help resolve confrontations without using deadly force, Police Chief Greg Meyer tells TLS.

The stun guns, known as CEDs (Conductive Energy Devices), were only recently approved by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office follows the guidelines set forth by the AG’s office, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Spokesman Al Della Fave tells TLS.

Since its policy change, several police departments around the state have begun the process of obtaining the guns.

In 2012, TLS reported that then-Chief Lawson wanted the guns, but the idea was nixed due to budgetary constraints.

“We will ask the Township Committee to support the purchase of a dozen CEDs in the coming months,” Chief Meyer told TLS.

The guns run approximately $1,500 a piece, a small price to pay for preserving a life.

“In certain situations, a CED may reduce the risk of death or injury to members of law enforcement, bystanders, victims, and persons subject to arrest and against whom this form of less-lethal force would be directed,” the Chief quoted from the guidelines.

He added, “This device thus may allow officers to resolve a confrontation without it escalating to a level where deadly force is required. Their use would be very beneficial to the Police Department and the Town’s citizens.”

Stun guns were introduced as non-lethal weapons for police to use to subdue fleeing, belligerent, or potentially dangerous people, who would have otherwise been subjected to more lethal weapons such as firearms.

The gun fires small dart-like electrodes, which stay connected to the main unit by conductive wire as they are propelled by small compressed nitrogen charges. The cartridge contains a pair of electrodes and propellant for a single shot (or up to three shots in new models) and is replaced after each use.

The LPD plans on going with the Taser X2 model, which the company describes as “A dependable piece of law enforcement technology, the Taser X2 incorporates agencies’ most requested features such as a backup shot, dual lasers, and a warning arc to protect life in the field. The Taser X2’s backup shot removes any need to manually reload and improves safety and performance in the case of a missed shot or clothing disconnect.”

The Chief says they are currently in the process of sending instructors to the necessary training programs for the use of the guns, as mandated by the Attorney General’s Office.

Once complete, the Lakewood Police Department will draft a policy for its officers to follow.

Only “a select group of Lakewood police officers of highly-skilled individuals will be selected to participate in this training program,” the Chief says.

Part of the training will include de-escalation techniques, and how to deal with emotionally-disturbed individuals.

The Department expects to complete the training and have the guns in operation by the Summer.