NYPD Introduces Upgraded Taser and Other Technological Enhancements
The NYPD is modernizing its equipment.
This year, New York’s Finest will start using a new stun gun that promises to be “safer” while also offering a longer range. Police Chief Jessica Tisch announced this upgrade during the NYPD’s annual State of the State address.
In her speech, Tisch revealed that officers will be equipped with Axon’s Taser 10 in 2023.
The Taser 10 boasts a range of 45 feet and can shoot 10 probes, with a lower voltage capacity of 1,000 volts compared to the Taser 7, which currently has a range of 12 feet, only two probes, and a voltage rating of 50,000 volts.
“Tasers were introduced to offer officers an alternative option during high-risk incidents, aimed at de-escalation and reducing the chances of deadly outcomes,” Tisch remarked. She previously served as the department’s deputy commissioner for information technology.
“Yet, too many times, the technology has fallen short of making a difference,” she added. “That’s why we’re enhancing our use-of-force alternatives with the Taser 10, allowing officers to operate with greater accuracy from a distance, hopefully resolving situations before they escalate.”
A pilot program for the new Taser launched in December, and officials plan to implement it this spring.
Details on the cost of the new Taser for taxpayers weren’t disclosed.
This stun gun is part of a broader set of improvements being rolled out under Tisch’s leadership. She also announced enhancements to the 311 system, aiming to better address quality-of-life complaints and transition to a digital format for police reports, which, surprisingly, are still being handwritten.
“Many requests coming through 311 were assigned through lengthy text chains or phone calls,” Tisch explained. “Supervisors tracked work manually, and it often wasn’t clear what had been assigned or who was responsible for follow-ups. It’s no wonder so many calls about blocked driveways, abandoned vehicles, and noise went unanswered.”
Now, she explained, a new digital dispatch system will ensure that calls to 311 are assigned to the NYPD’s Quality of Life Team, enhancing accountability.
This update comes alongside the elimination of the outdated system the department uses for record-keeping.
“When the department was founded in 1845, information was recorded manually in logs,” Tisch noted. “Fast-forward 181 years, and we were still doing the same.”
That’s set to change, as the NYPD will introduce Domain Awareness System 2.0 this year. This new digital command log is designed to save time for station sergeants and provide real-time updates to officers in the field.
“It’s not just about harder work; it’s about smarter work,” she emphasized. “Simply doing better isn’t enough.”
Additionally, Tisch announced that the department is collaborating with the Trump administration to gain permission to shoot down weaponized drones in New York City. “We anticipate receiving that authority from the White House this year. We’ve been advocating for this for some time,” she said. “We are currently investing millions in mitigation equipment and completing the necessary training.”
