Sheriff Greg White says they can reduce injuries.

"The fact is, across the United States, usage of the taser has reduced officer or deputy injury by approximately 83 percent and suspect injury by 62 percent," White said.

He also said that the added benefit of the taser's recording features allows court room proceedings to go smoothly for both criminal suspects and officers.

"Usually when the person shows up in court, they're dressed like you are. Shirt, tie, slacks, frequently a coat, clean-cut, well-groomed. On the street, that's not what you saw, that's not what you were having to deal with. It's not the behaviors that you were engaged," Sheriff White added.

The taser X-26 model that the sheriff's department purchased can take care of virtually anything. It can shoot up to 25 feet and it can stun at close range.

"It provides a less than lethal alternative that reduces, well, it provides protection for the deputies and protections for the suspects as well," White said.

The Cole County sheriff's department isn't alone in its decision to purchase the new tasers. Sheriff White said other law enforcement agencies, like Jefferson City police, are looking into their own taser purchases. He applauded the new model and plans to purchase more in up-coming months. The sheriff said each device costs approximately $1,400. With that price tag, he said the benefits are astonishing.

Reported by: Ryan Luby