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TAYLORSVILLE — Three new police officers — Colby Ottley, Grayson Van Leeuwen and Jonathan Bushnell — were sworn in Friday, bringing the number of officers in Taylorsville to 59.
"I was thrilled that we're putting more police officers on the street," said Mayor Russ Wall. One of the new officers filled an empty position; the other two filled new positions the City Council approved in July.
The swearing-in event had an unusual twist when training officer Mike Ikemiyashiro shot the police chief — with a Taser.
"It's something I've been meaning to do for a long time," Cheif Del Craig said. "I don't know that I want to do it again."
Having officers experience the Taser's debilitating sting has become a common element of training on the pistol-like shock devices. "I figured I probably ought to have the first-hand experience of what it's like, be up to speed and have the ability to put myself in the officer's place."
The scope of police services the city can afford and a presently refused proposal to join the Unified Police Department have had a high profile in City Hall and among candidates running for three seats on the City Council.
The mayor, who supports having the police department absorbed into Unified police, said he hopes that discussion is reopened after the election.
"We could have put six to eight officers on without spending a dime," he said of a switch to Unified police, compared to the additions marked on Friday. "It's still heavy on my mind. I wish the council would reconsider it. I think it's one of the most important issues on the ballot."
Craig said the Unified police concept "looks like a good idea because we avoid duplication of services," but added he hopes the city can study it in the near future. "To this point we haven't really sat the table and taken a good look at it."
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