MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont House has given final approval to a bill that seeks to enhance the training police officers get before they are issued electronic stun guns.
Wednesday’s action came after the House accepted an amendment aimed at stepping up training for police officers in dealing with people who are in the midst of mental health crises.
But the House rejected an amendment offered by Rep. Mary Hooper, a Montpelier Democrat. She said the measure would have both simplified a police officer’s decision making process on when to use a Taser and possibly reduced the instances in which that would happen.
Rep. Ron Hubert, a Milton Republican and the underlying bill’s lead sponsor, said he wanted the state Criminal Justice Training Council left to decide training standards.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.