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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- The Fairfield Police Department has a new tool to add to its belt - tasers.

The department recently purchased three of them to arm on-duty officers. At $815 each, the tasers were a good part of this year's budget, but it's an addition that the department feels will be beneficial.

"They're a really good deterrent, as far as non-compliant individuals," Sergeant Aaron Price said. "We don't use it to hurt anyone, but there comes a time where we have to be ahead of the game and this is a good way to do it. Just the presence of the taser alone deters individuals' attitudes."

Price attended a two day class to become a taser instructor, then taught the other officers in the department how to use the tasers properly.

"I've put all the other guys in the department through a six hour course," he said. "They have to fire two cartridges, go through some drills and that sort of thing."

The tasers are to be used from seven to 15 feet away from the target, and should be aimed at the back, where there are larger muscle groups, if possible. Tasers can be safely used from the front, but aiming at the shoulder or beltline is suggested.

Two tasers are rotated out as officers come off and onto shift, and the third is kept as a backup.

Price said buying the tasers was something the Fairfield Police Department has been looking into for a long time.