Palmer Police Chief Larry Palmer told the Board of Supervisors Monday night that Tasers are closer to becoming a reality for his police department.

Palmer said that consultants for two Tasers, an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt the voluntary control of muscles, were recently interviewed.

Supervisors had agreed to spend $25,000 for stun guns.

Palmer said that his Use of Force policy has been updated to include Tasers. He also said he was setting up a Taser training program for his officers.

The chief believed the cost for about a dozen of the weapons would be $25,000 with in-house training and certification. The expense will be paid for by drug forfeiture money from Northampton County.

He said annual maintenance costs and recertification could cost about $2,800.

"Taser" is an acronym for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle. Developed in the 1970s, its inventor named it after a popular science fiction book, "Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle."