The Philadelphia Police Department is adding to its arsenal of crime-fighting techniques.

For the first time in the department's history a select group of officers will carry tasers on duty as part of a new public-safety initiative, the Philadelphia Crisis Intervention Team.

"This is truly a historic moment for the Philadelphia Police Department," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said in a statement.

He said the tasers would give police officers on the streets an additional tool to prevent and reduce violence.

Ramsey added that the tasers would help improve police relations with the community.

CIT focuses on reducing violent encounters between responding officers and community members through training, education and the coordination of services.

One hundred sixty officers on the team will carry the tasers to provide an alternative and less-than-lethal use of force during potentially violent encounters.

According to Division of Public Safety spokeswoman Stef Cella, campus police will not use tasers at this time.

Penn Police officers carry pepper spray, in addition to police semi-automatic pistols.