FARMINGTON — A $4,098 grant from the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program will be used to purchase five new Tasers for the Police Department.

The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved accepting the grant and purchasing the devices.

The department will match the grant with $1,076 to cover the $5,174 cost, police Chief Jack Peck told the board.

Although the department doesn’t often use Tasers — the last time was in March of 2012 — last week a man tried to wrestle with an officer. When the officer told him he would use the Taser, the man ceased his struggle, Peck said.

The department’s Tasers are nearing the end of their five- to eight-year expected lifespan, he said. They were purchased in 2006. They will become obsolete on Jan. 1, he said

The Byrne/JAG grant can only be used for safety training, technology or equipment, he said.

The plan includes purchasing four Tasers at $874 each and receiving a fifth one free. Batteries and holsters will also be purchased. A one-year Taser Assurance Program will also be purchased at $740, he said.

“The program charges an annual fee, which includes an extended warranty on each device, and will replace them after the fifth year with new devices,” he said.

abryant@sunjournal.com