The county Police Department has purchased 50 of the devices and plans to put them into service next week, despite three recent Taser-related deaths in Maryland.

Starting June 1, the department's four districts will be equipped with 10 stun guns each, according to Cpl. Tom Powell, an instructor at the department's training academy. Two will be kept with the Criminal Investigation Division, four with Special Operations and four more will stay at the academy for training.

The devices cost about $800 apiece.

Since March 20, the county's 600-plus officers have been required to attend training courses on the Taser gun and...