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Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deportment •
(323) 526-5541
Website: www.losd.org

ADVISORY
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DEPLOYS SHOCKING NEW DEVICE
WHO:

ASSISTANT SHERIFF LARRY WALDIE

WHAT:

ASSISTANT SHERIFF WALDIE WILL ANNOUNCE THE DEPLOYMENT OF 290
M-26 ADVANCED TASERS. THIS TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, LESS
LETHAL, CONDUCTED ENERGY DEVICE HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TO DEPUTIES
AT ALL SHERIFF'S STATIONS AND CUSTODY FACILITIES. THE TASER IS
DESIGNED TO TRANSMIT ELECTRIC PULSES WHICH DISRUPT THE BODY'S
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM CAUSING MUSCLES TO CONTRACT. DEPUTIES
TRAINED IN THE USE OF THIS DEVICE WILL HAVE IT AVAILABLE AT A
MOMENTS NOTICE TO AID IN HANDLING AND APPREHENDING COMBATIVE
HIGH RISK SUSPECTS. THE M-26 TASER IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH LASER
SIGHTING AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY THAT TRACKS AND RECORDS
USAGE DATA.

WHEN:

THURSDAY, MAY 24,2001, AT 10:00 A.M.

WHERE:

SHERMAN BLOCK SHERIFF'S HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
4700 RAMONA BOULEVARD
MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA
(THOMAS GUIDE PAGE 635, F-2)

**NOTE**:

SHERIFF'S LIEUTENANT MIKE MC DERMOTT HAS VOLUNTEERED TO BE SHOCKED BY
THE DEVICE IN A LIVE DEMONSTRATION AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. MEDIA
REPORTERS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIRE THE M-26 ADVANCED TASER AT
THE CONCLUSION OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT SHERIFF'S HEADQUARTER'S BUREAU AT
(323) 526-5541.
SHB-86M-01

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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department •
(323) 526-5541
Website: www.lasd.org
SHOCKING SHERIFF'S EVENT CAUGHT ON TAPE
The deputy winced in pain and was unable to control his muscles after being shot.

Fortunately, it was all part of a calculated demonstration at a press conference announcing the
county-wide deployment ofthe Advanced Taser conducted energy device. Camera crews recorded
the event and the deputy who had volunteered to be shot by the taserwas not injured by the lesslethal device.
As partofa continued commitmentto protect the residents of Los Angeles County, Assistant
Sheriff Larry Waldie, on behalf of Sheriff Lee Baca, announced the deployment of more than 290
of these conducted energy devices. The M-26 Advanced Taser is designed to transmit electric
pulses which temporarily disrupt the body's central nervous system. The device will aid deputies
in handling and apprehending assaultive high-risk suspects. The taser has been deployed at all
Sheriff's Stations and Custody Facilities and can now be carried by trained deputies. In the past,
tasers were only carried by supervisors.
The new desig n of th is device has many improvements over the original energy technology
introduced in the early 1980's. The device is now shaped like a handgun. This physical redesign
takes advantage of muscle memory functions of traditional handgun training. Its built-in laser sight
and a 21 foot range will improve accuracy and increase the number of situations where it can be
safely used. The increased powerto 26 watts will cause electro-muscular disruption. It is designed
well within electrical safety standards and has advanced weapon tracking technologies that record
the time and date of each firing. Most importantly, with over 20 years offield use, there has never
been a death attributed directly to tasertechnology, making itan effective less-lethal device. "Any
effective less-lethal tool we can give our deputies reduces the possibility ofa deadly confrontation,"
said Assistant Sheriff Waldie.
SHB-92A-01
Photographs available.

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May 25,2001

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