The Paterson Police Department is in the process of getting all of its officers trained and equipped with conducted energy devices (CEDs), commonly known as Tasers.

Officials say the initiative comes as there is a growing trend among law enforcement agencies to adopt less-lethal devices to reduce the likelihood of tragic outcomes in high-pressure situations.

Previously, only the department's Emergency Response Team (ERT) had access to CEDs.

Officers believe Tasers give them a buffer in de-escalation and public safety while also decreasing injuries for officers and offenders.

"We have just another tool that has been given to us, and we intend to use the tool if we have to, and it's something that is to save lives as well...about saving a life we're affecting in [an] arrest, or we're affecting a person who's having a mental crisis, or we are affecting the job as a whole instead of going to the extreme," said Sgt. David Silva.

Currently, 48 officers are trained in CEDs.

The hope is to have everyone in the department trained and equipped with them by the end of the year.