WC Sheriff’s Dept. getting new Tasers

Several actions taken last week by the Whitley County Fiscal Court are expected to have a positive impact on the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

During the fiscal court’s regular monthly meeting last Tuesday, a resolution pertaining to coal severance project monies was approved that will provide the sheriff’s department’s road units with new Tasers. 

According to Judge/Executive Pat White, many of the Tasers currently being used are quite old and outside the maintenance agreements for them.

“They were pretty desperate to try to get new ones,” said White.

The total cost of the project is approximately $50,000. White noted that it would take care of all the Taser needs of the department’s road deputies for about five years.

Additionally, additions to the sheriff’s department’s policies and procedures manual regarding traffic stops and motor vehicle searches was approved. 

According to Sheriff Bill Elliotte, the existing manual was “very minimal” when he took office. He noted that he has been working to build the department’s policies and procedures over the past several months and called it an “ongoing process.” 

In other fiscal court business:

– The court authorized White to sign documents relating to the purchase of vehicles for the Whitley County Detention Center. 

White said that the vehicles being purchased previously belonged to the City of Williamsburg and were used by the police department. The detention center will use the vehicles for the transportation of inmates.