Warnings and Risks, Taser Intl, 2010

The Habeas Citebook: Prosecutorial Misconduct - Header

Warnings and Risks, Taser Intl, 2010

• Feb. 25, 2016 • Topics: Excessive Force, Stun Guns/Tasers

Download original document:
Brief thumbnail

This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. Check the original document to verify accuracy.

TASER International, Inc.
17800 N. 85th St. • Scottsdale, Arizona 85255-6311 • www.TASER.com
Phone: 480.905.2000 • 800.978.2737 • Fax: 480.991.0791

To all TASER Instructors, Media Relations and Public Information Officers,
On the disk, I have done my best to provide the most commonly requested information
regarding TASER® technology based upon the daily requests I receive by public
information officers and the media. It is my hope that these resources will better enable
you to educate your agency, community members, third parties, and media outlets on
the facts regarding our life-saving TASER technology.
Please share this information with others within your agency and throughout the law
enforcement and public safety communities. This collection would not have been
possible without the support of the many agencies that have shared information and
their experiences deploying TASER technology with our company.
This resource kit is a work in progress that I will update periodically with the latest
information as I receive it. I invite you to send any recent experiences, field results
statistics, press release examples, or any issues you would like to see represented in
future editions of this resource kit.
In addition, if you would like to be on the email list for press releases and important
TASER information concerning safety studies and research, please fill out the PIO
Registration PDF document and it will automatically send me your contact info and
email address.
I welcome any feedback and encourage you to send any ideas, suggestions, updates or
requests along with your email and phone contact info to Press@TASER.com.
Sincerely,

Steve Tuttle
Vice President of Communications
TASER International

6’ PORTABLE TARGET STANDS
SUPPLY LIST:
2x4x10 wood (one for each target stand)
2x2x12 wood (one for each target stand)
2 inch insulation sheets 4x8 (makes two targets)
3inch nails
Roofing nails (need the plastic heads)
Hammer

2x4x10:

Cut (2) 3’ pieces of wood and (2) 2’ pieces of wood (this will make one base for a stand)

2x2x12:

Cut (2) 6’ pieces of wood (this will make the supports for one stand

4x8 sheet of insulation:

Snap the sheet in half, making (2) 2x8 sheets
Cut 2’ off each of the sheets, making 2’x6’ sheets

Take your roofing nails and remove the plastic. Insert the 3 inch nails into the plastic sleeve. Lay the 2x2 on the floor
and the insulation on top. Nail the 3inch roofing nail through the insulation into the 2x2 (3 on each side).
The above stand nails or screws together. 3’ pieces are the outside supports, the 2’ pieces are the inside support. Keep
the two inside pieces 2 inches apart (place a 2x2 between for measurement). Make sure to leave the 4inches at the
bottom of the 2x2 that will be sticking into the stand!

TASER® ECDs:
Media Background Info for
TASER Technology
Crisis Management During In
Custody Deaths
Steve Tuttle

Vice President of Communications

TASER Technology Today*
• Over 11,500 law enforcement agencies
deploy TASER technology in 44 countries
– 3,500+ agencies deploy to ALL patrol officers
– Locally, the law enforcement agencies that
deploy TASER ECDs: MI 421 agencies

• Over 278,000 law enforcement officers
armed with TASER systems
– 165,000 citizens in U.S. own TASER ECDs
Data as of June 31, 2007

What Do We Do in Crisis ?
• Provide facts and science
• TASER International message points:
– Safe, effective and accountable
– “Protect Life”
– Provide stats on injury reduction – actual
field results not hyperbole

• Engage in aggressive “Education
Campaign” to public and third parties

How to Track?
• Monitor print AND media aggressively –
Use Google News Alerts Search
– Go to www.Google.com.
– Search for
– Use “TASER” AND “TAZER” as search
option but click on the NEWS option tab

How to Track?
FAQ I Sign in

Google AI!erts {BETA}

Welcome to Google Alerts
Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web,
news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.
Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:
•
•
•
•

monitoring a developing news slory
keeping current on a compet~or or induslry
gelling the latest on a celebr~y or evenl
keeping tabs on your favor~e sports learns

Create an alert with the form on Ihe right.

Create a Google Alen
Enter the topic you wish to monitor.
Search lerms: Ilaser
Type:

I====;;-News
I
v

How often:

Ionce a day

Your email:

Create Alert

Google-NII nol-sell orshare your@mail address.

You can also simI in to lllana<Je your alens

Identify Stakeholders &
Provide Proactive Outreach
• Conduct “Editorial Board” education
• Issue Op-Eds concerning issues of the
day or controversy
• Issue “TASER ECDs Save Lives” news
alerts
• Engage third party outreach to LULAC,
NAACP, SCLC and other proactive or
outspoken community members

Sample LE Outreach Via Press
GUEST COLUMN: TASER important tool for unique responsibilities
In response to the "disturbed citizen:" Even though your letter was brief, it did touch upon some things that are worth replying to. The
"judge, jury and executioner" comment should be the first to be addressed.
We, that is, all police officers, have an awesome responsibility to the lives of the people that we have sworn to serve and protect. We
have chosen a career unlike any other. In any given day we may go from handing out a sticker to a little boy who is riding his bike with
his safety helmet on, to a "routine" traffic stop where the driver has a warrant for arrest, or is under the influence of some substance, or
driving 60 mph in a 25 mph zone. From there we are sent to a medical call, where family members have summoned us to help a loved
one, and watch as we must use an AED or begin CPR. Then at any given time during the day or night we may be called upon to use
deadly force in defense of someone else.
For the record, within the last six months one of our officers has been put into a deadly force situation twice. Thankfully it came down to
a show of force and not an actual shooting.
No one else holds the responsibility that we do. The decisions we sometimes must make are not easy, but must be made in a split
second. By law no one else is allowed to make that decision without due process, not a jUdge or a governor. So if in the course of our
duties we are forced to use a TASER to keep someone from doing something that could hurt themselves or others, we now have that
tool. It is not sadistic, nor is it cruel. It is at that moment the right tool and form of force to handle the situation.
As for being shot by a TASER in training being called fun, let us not misinterpret the statement. Was it fun to be in a room full of other
officers training and bonding? The response is, yes. It was also painful, educational, sobering and thought-provoking. Was it fun to
share our reactions and comments after the training? Again, yes it was. Did it educate us on the when, where and how to use this
device? Yes, it did.
As for taking advantage of federal dollars, the funds were raised by donations to the police department. To date, our department has
received zero dollars from Homeland Security.
We have tried to equip ourselves with a tool that will, if needed, enable us to prevent injury to officers and the public they serve. Without
less-than-Iethal options, officers at some critical point may be left with only one option. As in any other profession, it only makes sense
to give those professionals the tools or options to resolve a problem. The TASER serves that purpose.
-Members of the Mount Vernon Police Department

Sample TASER Commentary
_Sent e
•

rasers give

JUly 11, 2006
EVFRV

many police a

n...

,.~

,
Iresavmg I
a ternative

Tasel's are designed not to harm people with pacemakers
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
I read the editorial "Taser meets pacemaker" (March 2) with great interest. I hold more
than 200 U.S.-issued patents for implantable electrical devices. I am also a scientific
adviser to Taser International.
The editorial recognizes the contributions that Tasers have made to improve the safety of
law enforcement. But the comments regarding pacemakers are incorrect and perpetuate
the urban myth that the presence of a pacemaker somehow makes Tasers more
dangerous.
The first myth is that a bolt from a Taser might damage the implantable device. Since
cardiac patients are at increased risk of needing a defibrillator shock, the standard
requires pacemakers to withstand a 360-joule shock. The energy in a Taser device is
about 0.07 joules. So pacemakers must handle shocks 5,000 times stronger than the Taser
outputs.
The second flavor of this urban myth is that a Taser bolt might somehow interact with the
pacemaker and thus kill the patient. Decades ago, pacemakers could be confused by
interference. It is highly unlikely that Samuel Hair's pacemaker even registered that he
was receiving Taser pulses. The electrical current does not travel far from the electrodes.
But, in a worst-case scenario, where a Taser bolt strikes directly the skin over the
pacemaker, it would recognize that it is seeing interference and would go into a "noise
reversion" mode and give steady, pacing pulses, posing no risk to the patient.

MARK KROLL
San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Editor's note: Mark Kroll is an adjW1ct professor ofbiomedical engineering at Cal Poly
University in San Luis Obispo.

officers Put rhelr .
ols and lralnin lives On the line
In law en~ 9 as we all WOrk
10 protect us Those
orcement now depen~~~er to keep ~r citiesofficers and the
ewspaper to VOice
. .
s a valuable alternari~;d states safe,
'pecr that an
. an °Pmlon. We
.
lorial "Police yhOPlO/OO Is based ona;,so recognize that vv
1otogy as wel~ a~Uld use Tasers spari~cts ~nd that all Sld~sdo not always
:s of a Police oW the SUPPort for the ~'Y. You left Out anyare properly
1r systems.
Icer that appeared' se of Taser SYstems b ment!on of
In YOUr OWn news
y unbIased,
Ufied In a n
paper two days
r device" ews Slory Wednesd
Could be deadly" to aay a~ president of the S
In of What G .
PolIce officer or a ClviliatanIe of Hawaii
II " H
arcla said
.
. e Went on to
. The first pa
r sYStem by an off say hiS concern ste';: of GarCia'S qUOre .
ICer In a cfltlcal sil med from the POLICYIn Your
uallon - not th
bemg
e PUre USE of a
.COUntry - not th
les in Massa e 7.000 you cited'
I law enforce~husetts, a state w~n YOur editorial -. no
)f another tOOl
use. More than ~~ o~ednesday's nev;};ave or

:t:a~a,;~~~t

is m~re aC~~U~:1 agencies ~~o::
arge and, In the newer than a Taser
aser Cam a
e advanrag
•
e on M
es of Taser t h
to leth ental //Iness shows ec ~ogy. A re
weapon logging

Ie th

~:;~e:~ri~icide w~a~:~:n~;~i:ca~t~:,n~~~:

tally /II
been JUsUfied b g the 72-month
Ya Taser dev'
f
1 lives saved In yoth e rePOrting Offi~~~dY period, " 11 i'(~5°3
ne of the
or Where th
.
mOSt VUlnerable
e Subject
Consoruum at
fuctlve

The final, repeated myth is tllat the devices deliver 50,000 volts to the subj ect. The best
selling X26 delivers only 1,200 volts. The 50,000 volts is the "arcing" voltage and only is
used to jump (arc) through thick clothing.

u"j"e"',-n
II

groups of Our

elecirlcal~~~i~~7u~nference,

iSSued a S"I
'" emenr
Oder gUidelines

as Taser" u

Sample TASER Commentary

l
u<e InlUfll!$. Aflo
lasers dramat",a\IY r~phYSKal struggles v
pre"ent ",oen one ."udy. 93 per<'
guns
883 laser stuns In
9.
that'S6
"I Intematlonal's d",m
s
/>.mne
basIC: math b!
•Amnesty retuses t~ ~~."orung the ta
He $Jjs \l1e grOUP
S that ha"e blamed la'
Many headhne Such "':
alter an autOPSY'
•
Medfo<d man"
Portland. Ore' lherdoSe the Orego<
dIed ot a drug O'Ie
•
o' • An autOPSY peri
,
Kansas OW. M "sed to app<ehend
gun au\l1ontles u
\)Om man died 01
oetroit', •Aoear autopsy repolt b~
ac<ordlng to an
. ' u'. Chnstopher Aller
.nd onOlnna
ed by ala"
.
.....
_A ",as stun n
ed I
police a""
ports emef9 t
sundaY, Then re
he headhne "'.
By WednesdaY. t O'dell owens'
CountY Coronel
UnIversitY 01 Wi
Dodors at t~alt dIsease. 63 I
viC\lms had

caused by dlU9 s.

<6 deaths OIted by A'
0<
<ontrlbutlng tact
I've second stU
•Astandard 'h center lou~
police Rl!$ea~~xtrerne\y """.
ollaselslS

1
01 the'

epeated\~ C

'let lasers are ~n hour attl
lII{e droWl',ng

tl hopes \l1at"s chang
lutA e' we are turnIng a c
sa..·
says '1",
Malone sImpIy
•

Tasers reduce injuries and save lives
ByTom mitb
11 is discouraging 10
the Lakeland
newspaper continue 011 its bi ascd ]Xl\h
agaillst the use of Tascr electronic
devices and the ability of police in V IS,
collSill 10 have a viablc. safe nd effecth'c alte/11nlive use of force option,
[n Febroary, The Lakeland llJlCS {Un
a ne
slory alld an edilorial the arne
day Ihal conlained numerous erro in
faet and wen: anchored on a b'l' ic mischaracterization of how Thser lechnoLogn orlc ,
Without any facrual attribution, Che
paper made the false assertion !hat "multiple deaths have been auribllled directly
to tile Thser shot ilSelf:"
Now, with its latCSI serie.~ of editorials
and arti les, The Lakeland TlDlcs has
mo,'ed from tile role of a oewspaper to
e em; aIL y becom in
an advocate
againsl Taser technology and its proper
usc,
The news pages and editorials havc
essentially created a uniformed - and
uninformed - biased vendetla at ChI'
elCpense of the paper's rellders and the
citizen" of it town.

n old 'lrolll Page' trick
The July 14 headline ("Mukwonago
man dies after hocb from -raser") uses
an old "Fn:>Jl( Page n triek: Pick lhe mo I
sen alionalistie clement of a mulli·
faccled tory and use thai to draw read·

e-r;;.
The he dline alludes thaI il wa
.. hock fn:>m Taser" (hal caused the

Commentary
death of Niclr.o!os Cyn1s, when. in facl,
no uch medical conc!" ion has been
determined. The tory even note Chat
"the cause of dealh was pellding fUtlher
le'lS and not available al press time,"
WiU there be a similar page one dis·
pJ~y for a tory that say ,"Coroner says
Thser not a cau~ of death?"
Just over , year ago. Wi consin
boc.ame \he firsl slnle in thc nallon to
d4l\'eJop un iform gu ide1inos for Che use
of TlISer electronic devices. Concerns
aboul whelher police were unnooe sari!y
using Stun guns to subdue u pcc:ts led
WiscollSin Altomey General Peg Lauten.
schlager 10 seek uniform use-of·forc:e
Ilidelines for police agencies acro Che
slate.

Developing oJlifornt guidelines
" lseon in's le.ooetsbip in developing
unlfonn gUidelines I:NI$ been applauded
across the country. Florid recently fol,
lowed suil when it concluded a year-long
study by en .eting legislalionsettillg
statewide use-of·foroe guidelines as well
as landards for lraining on Tascr devices
by all Jaw e"forcemcnl.
Some of liIe laun hest crillcs or the
Thscr device, inclUding chaplers of the
ACLU, have ceased c:alling for a ban of
Thser devices nd inSlcad are advocatillg
for beue.. regulation and use-of·force
guidelines,
The Intemationa! A ceiation of

ing lheir own opin.ions to become the
the judge and jury as well II medical
eJ<perlS on law enforcement situations
that ju tify the use of lelhal force. Our
request to Lakeland edilors i simple:
Stick to joumafum and rqx>rt the fac\,'
for your readers. nOI myth .
~wsp3per should be a conman
leward for ilS cilizens, • dear and
strong voice: for the voieele s, among
Otber things, If il senses there is somc,
thing amiss in nny pan or tlte tOWn '"
g vem.~l1ce. il i the paper' d,Uly to rniJie
Ignored ooneJusiollS
The: lIel nd TiI'JlC.' also i8ll0red - concern and Clill for :\Clion.
Howevc:r, impli~ling Thser technoLoeven after it w called 10 it alte:nlion in
February - Che conclusion of the U.s, gy - or any olher innocent Jl'I11y part
MetropolilJln Muni ipalilies EMS Med· of what appears to be a sen t.ionali tie
i aI DireclOrs onsornum who, I il$ campaig;n on liIe part of the: paper, itS
spring conference, is ued
Iatement publisher and its cdiloria.l taff i. an
.saying it "strongly upports tbe: ppn:>pri- injuslice 10 the reooers of 1be Lakeland
ate use of conductive electrie:tl d vices Tunes and to the community il erve .
SaVing liv doe JlOl JUSt mean not
such
Taser" under guidelines established by two national law enfo emenl using deadly force - it means prc:venlin,g
organiz tions.
a situation fTl)m getting OUI of control to
The Lakeland Times publisher, Gregg' protect Chose who may be banned,
Walker, declares that Ta er devices are Taser devices nnd other Jes lethal
"dangerous and lethal weapons," An cdi- weapons may OOt be perfect. bUI Ihey do
lorial wriler. Richard Moore, concludes make an imperfect world safer.
thai p.olice locmed Mr, Cyrus lind
'.seT devices reduce injuries and save
"Iasered him to dellth." Bm whal quali· li\'es and will coJJlinue to do so for as
ties Mr. Walker and Mr. Moore to come long .$ they are used. The records in law
to such conclu ions? Wb I i. the b is enforcement department aeros Ihe
for Iheir assenions especially in lig,ht of nation support Ihal eomenti n, in the
Che" faa Chal their opinions are in sharp cold hatd files of their case reports - and
eontrnsl 10 Iho!le of the ACLU, Che lACr by th,e officers llnd pcrpelt"d10 Who are
a1i\'e today.
and the EMS eonsortium"?
10m Smilh is Ihe cojQunder a/ttl presUnfortunately the ed.itO and auChors
of the Lakeland newsp~per arc exercis, ident a/Tour lnlema/lollal, Inc,
Chiefs of Police calls Taser lechnoLogy
an important tool for pol icc: offi ers. The
organization uppons the use of Tascr
systems 10 ubdue violenl SUsplXts; not
10 use it on handcuffed persons unl
they are "overly assaultive"; to use itlhe
least number of times; and 10 seek medi al atlem.iOJl ror anyone who has been
shocked, BUI Ibe lACP does nOI ug·
gCSt ylUlking Ta r deviees from the bells
of police officers,

Icast "

OUr

people hatte

.. SlaLc Police • ..

110.

~jCCtOlJSC

111I. Faro

IITIddecid

Ilabl c.

iUonof

.,.

.SCTs

cr, bur hc
c Which

TASER Media Alerts
• Law Enforcement agencies rarely provide press
releases on successful outcomes of use of force
incidents involving TASER technology
• Here is a sample of media alerts in which
TASER International provided media alerts in
which law enforcement agencies were involved
in successful outcomes. The actual stories were
cited by press and media and simply reported in
a media alert by TASER International involving
potentially life-saving events.

TASER Media Alerts
File

Edit

VteN

Favor

View

Favorites

.p Search U Favorites

W
Ne

Fort Wayne Police Reinstate lASER Program
Wednesday February 1, 11 :53 am ET

Chief Says with the Appropriate Guidance, TASER Devices are an
Effective Tool
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1/PRNewswire-FirstCallJ - TASER International, Inc (Nasdaq: TASR - News),
a market leader in advanced electronic control devices released the following News Alert:
ADVERTISEMENT

Find You r Graduatini Class

I) Don

I graduated ~n:

1985
1975
1965
1955

According to news reports from the Fort
Wayne Journal Gaz.ette, one year after
foregoing the purchase of 83 TASER
electronic control devices because of
mounting safety concerns, Fort Wayne
police said Tuesday they will reinstate
deployment of the weapons in a pilot
program.
The announcement came two days after
an armed man was shot and injured by
police officers. Fort Wayne police have
also been involved in two standoffs in
which officers killed barricaded people
last year.
~NSITES

Police Chief Rusty York said the decision
had nothinq to do with those cases but

dU l' .l.Ul'H.
Internet

-----1 ''J-,;

2:35 PM

Correct Bad Headlines
• Headlines are not written by the actual reporters
• The headlines often conflict with a reporter’s story
and are often wrong
• The newsprint versions cannot be retracted or
changed. However, the headlines on the websites
are electronic and can be corrected
• Contact both the news editor and the reporter via
phone/email and request immediate change (see
the following samples of inflammatory and
incorrect headlines)

Correct Bad Headlines

'b2 WESH C-OM
WESH

•

NEWS

WfllHU
The
Comes I-lfiS 1

West Palm Man Dies After Being Shocked With Taser Gun
POSTED: 8:01 am EDT July 18,2005
UPDATED: 3: 11 pm EDT July 18,2005

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A man who was attacking residents at an assisted living facility died after police shocked him
twice with a stun gun,
West
Palm Beach police said Michael Leon Crutchfield, 40, of Riviera Beach, began acting erratically after he entered the Palm
poste
Beach Assisted Living facility Sunday. He began screaming that someone was trying to kill him.
stot: Police said residents fought back and he fled the facility, Police cornered him, but he fought back and an officer used a Taser gun
to subdue him. He continued to struggle after falling and police stunned him at least once more,
Crutchfield
was sweating profusely and had bulging veins when a nurse from the facility examined him. He was unconscious
\11 \E
131 when paramedics arrived and died shortly thereafter,

J\ I vmSH- TV CHANNEL 2 - FLORIDA
bf

Taser Blamed For Death Of West Palm Man

POSTED: 8: 01 am EDT July 18) 2005
UPDATED; 8: 14 am EDT July 18, 2005

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A man who was attacking residen ts at an assisted living facili ty died after police shoc ked him
twice with a stun gun.
West Palm Beach police said Michael Leon Crutchfield, 40, of Riviera Beach, began acting erratically after he entered the Palm
Beach Assisted Living facility Sunday. He began screaming that someone was trying to kill him.
Police said residents fought back and he fled the facility, Police cornered him, but he fought back and an officer used a Taser gun
to subdue him. He continued to struggle after falling and police stunned him at least once more,
Crutchfield was sweating profusely and had bulging veins when a nurse from the facility examined him. He was unconscious
when paramedics arrived and died shortly thereafter,

mltr i!1irmingham Nrloo

Neutral Headline

Coroner identifies man who died after police stun gun used
Posted by August 03, 2007 8:52 AM

Authorities this morning identified a man who died Thursday after police used an electric stun gun to subdue
him.
The incident happened about 5 p.m. at 19th Street South and Fifth Avenue South, outside the UAB Hospital
emergency room.
Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Jay Glass identified the man as Clyde Patrick, 44, of the 4100 block of
Fairmont Way in Birmingham. He said Patrick was pronounced dead at 5:19 p.m.
Bystanders said officers from Birmingham's South Precinct and the University of Alabama at Birmingham were
on the scene to confront a man.
Witnesses said the man was sitting on the corner and wore little clothing. He was told by police to stay down,
but kept getting up.
Birmingham homicide detective Sgt. Corey Hardiman said police had drawn stun guns.
Birmingham police Capt. Herman Hinton, who supervises homicide detectives, said he needed to discuss the
incident with his detectives at mid-morning to gather enough information to comment.
"I did not go to the scene," he said.
Stun guns discharge an electrified projectile that is intended to temporarily incapacitate a person.
In July 2005, Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid banned their use after a man died in the city jail hours after
being stunned with one of the weapons.
The Jefferson County Coroner's office later determined the man had died from heart disease, complicated by
alcoholism, and not from the stun gun.
In January 2006, Kincaid lifted the ban under the condition they be retrofitted with cameras and audio recording
devices.
Answers to last night's incident may be slow coming while authorities sift through the facts.
"No one should expect a rapid resolution," Glass said. "There are complex issues here."
Walter Bryant. News staff writers Toraine Norris and Carol Robinson contributed to this report

Same Story – Vastly Different
Police Stun Gun Blamed In Man's Death
POSTED: 1:19 pm EDT August 3, 2007 The Associated Press.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A Birmingham man died Thursday
evening after police used a stun gun to subdue him. Jay
Glass, the deputy coroner for Jefferson County, identified
him as 44-year-old Clyde Patrick.
Authorities have released few details surrounding the 5 p.m.
incident. Patrick, according to a Birmingham newspaper, was
confronted by police officers near the UAB Hospital
emergency room and was pronounced dead about 19
minutes later.
The gun-like devices can deliver a jolt of electricity by direct
contact or through probes that reach a distance of about 20
feet.

Same Story – Corrected
Suspect Dies After Police Use Stun Gun
POSTED: 1:19 pm EDT August 3, 2007
UPDATED: 3:41 pm EDT August 3, 2007 The Associated Press.

Wrong Headline
sHELB TO'MI/.SH

Mother lashes out: in Taser dea'th
MLIe h Ire I1'IBlns unclear about case
Aug,Ii5l'T, 2001
ElY ChlRlsry ARBliSCQ fl,

IA A!XA~I RJ1d ZACHI!o~Y GOR-QJOW

FlUE PRESS STIIFr- WRITERS

The motilE'! ala Shelby TovmBH;p man whe died a!tef police struck him v,fh a TaBer es they IJtied 10 subdue him salId Menday that she
ill livid _. b.~ ~ 11M (ir(UIMI:.ilJ1e~$ Qf he~ $Qn'$ de.lIl,
Sls'lil!Il Spears· &7-yea.r.<Jkl mother. Linda Ccmell of Shelby r own&hlp, seid oh9 heard from 'Alitnasau that har unanned500-was slrock
Ihree II~ with e Te_ early Se-llJrds.y_
''I'm,. y mil.d,· uld 'Conwil, \lob:! $*id $h. p1l1n; 10 pur'llJ. ~ ~ hll".. wv~ b*ntled rl'oIIl u,. depilmntl "i1My didn't
need to keep Taserlng tim."
Tlpp d ,0" by 9 1 ~II~, $halbY TOWl'$hlp, po!leii oul\<l $pe~rl!l, 4S', ,lltratiM mldnlghl SalUrtlay ~urtll9 OI'Ily!OCk$ and unda~r
Z3
lIal1lil o-equilldre. An.. fie brOk. fr.e rl'oIIl 11I1!tdK~1 pef1O'Mtl OJ1h.$~n., he t":ln Inl¢ ~ !l mId .¥II11tU~IIY $1tvW+d with
offticers -.no ca~ NIn.
They ~ ,111m 1I,l1h II S1un
- ",hldlllk~ $ant 50.000 YI:t'Il!l (If .Ia=rld y ~11'Jk b:6Y, lloo:lf'dlng to 1M gt;n'l!l rna~",
He man Ig;l <;Qn$QQu_~, ~ $ id in ,~ ~$ 1'818;\$+, Spn~ - i\ di'l'QfOlld ~ lher Qf fQ.lt ~d'te:n ;lin 7, 11, 19
28, ~
worked as a h.... tl'1lB>t Troy - ........ pronounced delld al 12:50 a,m, lI't Troy Beaumont HDSflI.1BI. according to !he Oa);Jand Counly
"'adl~ E~Ml'1lna"~O . OIl.
By MQIlda)', It \II,,; 'l4i11IIt1~ear -1 ~llkoIlly Killed 11m and 'I'ih Ibvt
:;1W1 ~ played tQl., T'QW!Ilihlp'
o;j 1$ ,-- OIwiii:l;g
au1DpSy a:Jd toxlooliclgy r~p0c:t5, The cau,* of deelh Is pending.
ShOIbY T,o_hlp, ~I'!Q!' FbI
($klp) MB,CCIl~ $;!lid' • aeUQIIl!l lakelll!lpp"" 10 be appr,opMat. un~ar Iha dr~slan~:
Pdkw :;UilPKl
SP'I~f$ 'II ~ tJmvill9 - dl bwllQ ,gpi;QdIl mi'ld 'h<ld ~ QQnClir11 fQ" hili mlldiclll wlilI-b!llltlll," M~f1:IQII $*Id MQlldOlY,
They did pe)[ elabora'a aboot what pr,omplad his bebavlornor ..mal led 10 thatcondtelon.
That perplal\tl!l tamlty afld ~. ~ !.Il(l ha WII$nl
~I~,
SbeIby Township p;;fice did no! rslmn wveral calls b DOOlin
"Noona deserves 10 die a ths~ .. D.a:nIieIt.. TrentaOO!lt.., manegerofllla.nchl Salon In Troy, iald Mooday oI5peare, Sf 10I1fI e trlend.
~~' ~lh fOllows IN <If a7·~>(l~ JiWlin Mhu~ Sirnom;, \\t1Q di~d 1*$1 Ooel¢OW' ~Rtt b.ing hit wl!Ji a T~$w I'>y Uno;Oh'l P~rk
poIilw.
Oealh9
ed II> allln ,guns. are r.er~, local QflI:elels B;B;)l.
~ ehanllN or -elihQQd Of KIflleOtie iljlil1Q! fl'Qfn /II T~9f j:; Ii .. Ml\o;Offi'b Ci:J:rflly SI1!1itiff Mm: !"l;l!;jj(e! $lIlil, "Th4i diilliQfi or
ftelihood of &Dm0B0A9 dying fran Q '\lun are m.och ~."
Or. pslrlc:la Nouhan" ~ worki In the BRlelQ<lfICY roan In 51. Jehn Iio9plt.alln Deuolt BOO a tIl!\Slad pa enlB \\tlo have baen hll by
:;lW!guns, ~.
"Ifa pre1ty unusual !o have dIe<Ilh from a Taser',' ,i~ Baid.
Though lha Wl!Iaponl!l ela fM~ da~ll gu~, Ihily come wllt1 !h (1_ cha/JIeng8!,
En.,. b ......Ior'l.....

1f,.... no"'Y"I... I........

...Mi .... -r* ,""IS ............. '-1> L;......-.llU ............. Ih ....... , •.,"......l. hsu.., ...-.-... I-.ji ...n n'i--ll .....) ......-..... IIln.....

""nr1 i.......... .......,.Ihl.. ...-. ........... ,..,a..,.

Corrected Headline
SHELBY TOWi SHIP

Mother lashes out after dea.'th
Much remains

unc~r about case

AlJgt/SI1, 20Ur

BY CHRISTY ARBOSOElLO.IEMllIA i\SKARI arldZACHARY GORCHOW
FR£E PRESS STJ'jf1' WRITIERS

'*"

The mother Of a Shelby lownship rnan Who diad aller police etnrok him wlth a Tasar as they mad to subdue
said Monday lhat she
i!llIvld aOO balWdaed over ~ drcum~tances (J her ~oo's deeth.
Sle~ Spoilsr$' BT·~ mQ1holr. Llll(le ~<liJ 01 ShelbY foYin~, ~81d ~hill he8~ frOIn~ ne!;$e$ .,"I'1i1l1 UjlI8rrn~ $on 'li8S $1ru~
Ihree limeg with a Taser early SallJlday.
"I'm resJJy mad,· Bald Come ,vmo aald she rfa~ r.o pursue a '.a/WEilllt r.o heVl!' Ihe ~ banned WI !he dep8l1J'11lenL "They didn't
PMd &:l k..-.p T~etirig
Tipped off by 911 (lalls, Shelby TolmShlp police found Spears, 49, around midnight Saturday wearing only sOCks and undarwear near
2J M end Oequlndre. Ail 1'1: brdo;e tree ~ In ~I pel~ on . 8 s~, he rlln lnli=> !llllle lind i!I'o'o!ill!u81ly 1Ilrugg!ed \lAIM
o!fiic;ers ~ ='.lhI mn
They 6OOOO:ed him mth a slun gun - willdllikeily senl ~O,OOO 'id1B of electrit:ity ~11u body. aoool'ding 10 lIle ~n's m~r
I-Ie th4ln 10$'1 t:On$dou~~, ~ ~"Id In i!I _
lele8$'6. $p8~ - II dillrO!* fllihJlr 01 tQ;,Ir d'il\dten sg~ 7, 11, l~ a,Id 2S W\'Io
worj<t!i ~~ ~
J'yfi~lln TlQy' - 'Na~ ptoriOuno.d dud 2:r;;O ~,rn. , TfO.... B.~ufI1¢Pl HoJiPil~I. ~O(iQl'dinll "lh. Oll1\Jij'ld ~o;JlJnly
Medlcsl ~miner's Offle&.
By Mondsy, It W8~ "ull uncf_sr """'-l'l"'<:in""ny . ~ him lld ",...,h.r "" $tun gun pll\Y"d II r(ll8, Q'fIn~h ortIdi~~ 8re BWi!llllng
~p~y - miCdQ;)y' j;Qb, 11 • CilUw Q! d.~lh is 119ndinQo
Sh!!lby Township &r~s« R;aIph (Skip) Marealone seld '''''e aatlOO8 !aken appaar r.o ba appropriate IJrIlil!fl ""e olrCUrD!ltaDces.'
PoIke $U~t . I Sir* I'i!I Y[a~ l'\i!I>11lQ B dleb. c, SOd•. :ndI 'had II O::lrioom 1tJf' 1M medical" oCelng," Mllcei!lrane lIa"od MQno:fJI,y.
They did I'd ~.Ixirll~ ~~ WMt prompllld tII~ lbi!lhiWIgf fl::ij' W ltd kl
.Q;lnd\§IQIl.
Thet perple:u!s family ,~. I.tlo !l.IIId he wasnl dlabe
stNItly TO~hIP~e d'i(I not !e~ $ever81 ~II~ fOr o:;Iimm.~"No one daaerves io die ikelhal," D.ad:ElIe Tre<nlaooste, manager of Biam;hl Salon In Truy, said Monday ·ofSpear&, l19I longlfma riend.
Spears' death follow!. !hal of 31·....,.ar-dd J&II1ea hlhur SImons, 1,"0 died laB! Ocdler after baing hltl'ilh e TSgef by UlIOOln Pa<l<
p:lit:1I.
Daaths irll;ed W stun ·gun~ ara rare, local oflicial~ say.
"Tna chenCl!'9 ct"
IIhood of eorneooe dying om a Taeeor Ie sIlIn: Maoornb COlJnly Sheriiff Mark I-/.ackel B<Ilcl.. "The dlancee or'
IbllhtlQd of SOIll9OlM ,d'l\:r~;I"~ ill gUn _ fIMldl~'Dr. Pa1riaa NouhaJl. W10 works in . e ...,E1I1l"OOY room In St John Hoopllial in D61rnit aM has ealiId pa len!ll
haVEI bElan hil by

lVn.-

m.o

~tI.Jn gun~. ~g~.

"Ii's j)Ftlty ltiMual

file mlh !'Om it nSotf,~sh. said.

Jumping to Conclusions
Asso cia1ted P1re'ss
I e -Associat~d Press 10.3 116,8:42 AM ET

Pol ice Stun Gun K:lns

- ,- B . Ie
-c

… St. Louis' deputy chief medical examiner - told
the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he "didn't see overt
signs of trauma or foul play" on the teenager's
body and suggested the boy might have died
from "excited delirium."
"If it was excited delirium, he could have
dropped dead without being Tased.”
•Cause of Death: Excited Delirium

Bad Headlines Fallout
Worldwide in Malaysia…
2 November 2006 Thurscbiy

World ~ W37
THE STAR

Teen Tased ·to death
Cops fired stun gun twice in attempt to calm youth down

JERSEYVlIll (Illinois): A teen~ler
anyins .01 BiWt ~nd sooming 1 w.Olnl
jtsusR W.OlS shot twice with a ~ia
stun gun alld tattf died at a Sf Louis
hospif.Oll, authoritits SoJid.
On Tutsday, police in Jerseyville.
.OIbout 64km north of St Louis,
Missouri, said l1·ye.Olr-old Ro.er
Holyfield would not .OIcknowlfit.e
officers who .OIpproacMd him in an
Interstetion .lnd he continued yellina:.
"I want Jesus."
Police tried to c.Ollm the teen. but
Holyfield bec.OIme romboltive, according to tht SQtemtnL Offtcm tim:! tht
stun gun .OIt him.OllW" he iJnortd their
wamings, then 6red .apin when ~
continurd struggling. police said.
Holyfield w.u nown to Sr !.buis'
Cardinal Glennon Hospital after the
confrontation on Saturd.OlY; he died
thtrt on Sund.ay, police SoJid.
After .01 prelimirwy .autopsy on
TutSd.OIy. deputy ch~f medical ex.OImintr Dr Phillip Burch told the Sf Louis
Post.Dispatch th.at the boy might havt
died of~exciled delirium and th,u ~he
could have dropped dud without
t>o;ng Tastd:
He SoJid he did not ~ oven signs of
injuJYorfoul pby,
Exdted dtJirium an be broughr on
R

by mental iIIntSS or drugs, Burch SoJid.
Complete ~ults will not bt .OIv.ail.atMe

for.Olt

six wmes. whm tOXKO~

ttsts.Ol~ re1urned.

The police department expressed
sympathy to Holyfield's family but said
city.md police offKi.lls would not discuss the nlolner furthtr.
It was not immtdi.Olrely deu
whtther Hotyfteld Wl$ men[.Ollly ill
Calls on Toesd.iIy to Jerstyvme Poria
Chief Br;td Blackorby ~ not imme.diately rtfUmed. The dep.utment has
been using stun suns for aoout five
months.
Uotytiekfs family mmtbm .01150 did
not mum phont 1lltS~
In a report rdt.ased in March, international human rights group Amnesty
International said it had logged.Olt least
156 de.Olths ~ the country in the
prtvious five )'tars related to police
stunJUllS.
Tht list in deaths .:com~nil!'s .01
marted incrt.OlSt: in (he number 0( US
law t:nforcement agt:ncies tmploying
devices made by Tastr International
Inc of 5coltsd.lle. Arizon.l.
About 1.000 of the nation's 18,000
police ~endn used Tasm: in 2001;
more tholn 7.OCXJ dep,utm~ts h.ad
them last: )'tar. according to .01 JOvtfTl.

Hotyf~:

Died on Suncby in hospK~1 fitter police in Jen.eyviIIe,lllinois. fired stun
guns in.an attempt to cbm him down. -APpic

ment study.
Police had ustd Tastrs more than
70,{XX) tilTltS <IS of last j't.Olr. C0ngr6S'
Govt:mment Accountability Office

Amnt:Sty Intermtion.al h.OIs urged

polke departments to suspend the lISt
of Tasers pending more study. Taser
International SoJid the group's COUnt
w~ RawftS.OInd falsely linked de.Olths to
TolStrlM when there h.as bml no such
otrKi.l1 conclusion. - AI'

Security at
Goa resorts
tightened
MUMBAI: India has tightened security
in Its southern rtSOrt state of Goa amid
fears of .OIttrf'Orist attack ahead of the
tourist stason .0100 an internatioll.Oll
film ft:Stival there, officials said ~ter·
day.
New Delhi has been on.Ol heightened
security alert with fl.':ars of more
attacks .OIctOSS the country, p.1rticularly
in New ~Ihi .OInd Mumb.li since tht
July bombings on Mum~i's rail net· .
wort that killed 186 pl.':Ople.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh SoJid in september that intelli·
gence agtncits had warned more terrorist .OIn-ac1cs were likely, possibly on
economic .0100 religious targetS as well
as on nuc1l.':.af ins~ll.OItions.
"'Whether there is a sptdfk thrtat or
not. it is.Ol faet that the tourist stason is
a hi.h·impact time for any terror
aU'JCJc." J.P. Singh, a stnior bureaucr.Olt
in Go.OI. SoJid.·
.
-We havt to see that we don't havt.Ol
~Ii-Iike inciderlLAt least 202 people. ~ny of them
foreign tourists. werl.': killed on the
Indonesian isL1nd of Bali in 2002.
A Goa police officer, who spoke on .
condition of anonymity. said the sute
had been warned by central intelli·
.ence .a.encies t~t there could be an
.attack. - Reuters

Correcting Latest Headlines
• Headline was corrected to:

Bible-carrying teen dies after stungun shot
Posted 10/31/2006 9:54 AM ET
JERSEYVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A teenager carrying a Bible
and shouting "I want Jesus" was shot twice with a police
stun gun and later died at a St. Louis hospital, authorities
said.

Correcting Latest Headlines
• Notify TASER International Communications
Department at Press@TASER.com
• To correct headlines on websites, contact
the website’s “News Editor” to immediately
correct the headline and request that you be
notified in an email that the headline was
corrected
• These headlines on websites can be
corrected by your Media Relations/PIO or if
necessary our assistance at TASER
International

What is the Takeaway Point?

Did You Note the
Anchorman’s Comment?
• 50,000 VOLTS! (of course…)
• 60 people killed…
- This is inaccurate and misleading
- Contact TASER International and seek
guidance for corrections ASAP

What Can We Do?

Fight back with effective
education and message points

TASER Int’l Response Triangle
Consistent
Message Point

Our company
supports what?

1.Safe
2.Effective
3.Accountable
4.“Protect Life”

1.More independent testing
2.Good policies & good
training
3.Saving lives/reducing
injuries to officers and
suspects

TASER
International

What do we say during a crisis and what do the
EXPERTS say?
1.Most studied non-lethal weapon to date – it’s not junk science
2.Not risk free but the safer alternative – compare to other uses of force
3.Do not jump to conclusions – ICDs or controversial issues

What Can PIOs / Admin Do
For Education?
• Get TASER ECD training
• Know what an ECD is AND more
importantly what it isn’t... Understand
your policy placement and use of force
• Be factual
- Use the correct specs: 50,000 volts
BUT only 0.07 joules per pulse (compare
it to a cardiac defibrillator of approx 360
joules per pulse)

Discuss the Voltage Myth
Use Comparisons

Mother and daughter
experience 20 MILLION VOLT
Van De Graaff Generator at
Science Museum

• Volts aren’t dangerous –high
amperes/joules are…
• Van De Graaff Generator
- 1-20 million volts
• Static from a door knob
- 35,000-100,000 volts
• Acual TASER X26 and M26
volts are 5000 volts and 1500
peak volts
- 0.50 to 0.07 joules per
pulse (the energy in a single
pulse)

What Can PIOs Do for ICDs?
• Avoid description as a “TASER death…”
• If the news agency does this, correct the
reporter or the news agency

What Can PIOs Do for ICDs?
• Followup on “TASER death” as the ME
had not even completed an autopsy in
this case
Family Sues Chicago Police Over Taser Death
August 14. 2007 - The family of a 42-year-old man who died after being shocked by Chicago police with a Taser gun has filed a lawsuit.
Attorneys for Gefery Johnson's family say police used "excessive force" in subduing him during a confrontation last week.
Police say they were called to the home of Johnson's mother after she complained her son was damaging property.
Police say Johnson was violating a protective order by being at the home and resisted arrest. Officers shocked him twice with a Taser gun and used
pepper spray to try to subdue him.
Johnson was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly afterward.
Authorities say it may take several weeks to determine what role the Taser played in his death
The lawsuit filed yesterday says Johnson was "non-combative and cooperating" with police during the incident.
Sou rce: http://www.fox28.com/Newslindex. php? I0=23369

Family sues Chicago police over man's Taser death
AssocIa

Press

August 14. 2007 (CHICAGO) - The family of a 42-year-old man who died after being shocked by Chicago police with a Taser gun has filed a lawsuit.
Attorneys for Gefery Johnson's family say police used "excessive force" in subduing him during a confrontation last week.
Police say they were called to the home of Johnson's mother after she complained her son was damaging property.
Police say Johnson was violating a protective order by being at the home and resisted arrest. Officers shocked him twice with a Taser gun and used
pepper spray to try to subdue him.
Johnson was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly afterward.
Authorities say it may take several weeks to determine what role the Taser played in his death.
The lawsuit filed yesterday says Johnson was "non-combative and cooperating" with police during the incident.
Sou rce: http://abcloca I.g 0 .com/wts/storv?se cti on =1 ocal&id=5566 605

What Can PIOs Do for ICDs?
• If an in custody death (ICD) occurs
remind reporters to not jump to
conclusions
• Avoid description as a “TASER death”
• Get the facts -- find out the vital ICD
details:
- Time between TASER ECD deployment
and death?
- Effectiveness of TASER system/did it
gain compliance?

What Can PIOs Do for ICDs?
• In custody death (ICD) needs:
- Location of probes (make sure photos
were taken including measurements)
- Type of use: Probe or drive-stun?
- Other force used?
- Was the officer trained in the system?
- Drugs on board?
- Describe the behavior of the suspect
before and after
- Dataport downloaded as part of the
investigation/evidence collection?

What Can PIOs Do for ICDs?
• A number of cases have occurred where
individuals have died in police custody
following TASER ECD use
• In nearly all cases, the TASER ECD has not
been listed as a cause or contributing factor
in the death
• Majority of deaths ruled drug related including
“excited delirium”
• Most occurred during transport or at hospital

What Can PIOs Do for ICDs?
• Most involved subjects demonstrating
extremely erratic and bizarre behavior
• Most have occurred hours to days after
actual TASER device applications
• Electricity is instantly dissipated as heat
and does not linger in the body

Remind Investigators:
• The University of Miami can take brain
tissue collected in first 24 hours. The
coroner/ME must contact University of
Miami at 1-800-UM-BRAIN.
• Ensure hospital takes body core temp even
hours after death
• Keep the battery in the device/ This will
keep the integrity of the internal clock.
• Download the device within 48 hours of the
event
• When the device was deployed could the
device be heard arcing?

Why Report?
•
•
•
•
•
•

Transparency can be vital
Addresses media criticism
Educates your community
Provides feedback of success
Most criticism is based on misinformation
Provides the public, risk management and
media with your success with actual field
results – without it you can foment criticism
– measurable success

Sudden Death Not New
• Institutionalized patients deaths described as early
as 1849 in medical literature
– In one one SC hospital during 1915-1937, there
were 360 casers in which the cause of death was
listed as “exhaustion due to mental excitement”
• Disappeared in the 1950’s
– Widespread anti-psychotic medication used
• Re-emerged in the 1980’s
– Crack cocaine epidemic
– Deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill
• Today, increasing drug abuse and mental illness
– Methamphetamine epidemic
– Poor mental health resources

Understanding Excited Delirium
Observations of Excited Delirium:
• There is a “quiet period” before death. From S.J.
Stratton: “without exception, all cardiopulmonary
arrests were unanticipated and preceded by a
short period (estimates 5 minutes or less) during
which the victim ceased in struggling against
restraints and developed a labored or shallow
breathing pattern.”
• Resuscitation almost uniformly unsuccessful when
arrest occurs (even with EMS on scene)

Understanding Sudden Death
Sudden Death in Young Adults: A 25-Year
Review of Autopsies in Military Recruits Robert E.
Eckart, DO; Stephanie L. Scoville, DrPH; Charles
L. Campbell, MD; Eric A. Shry, MD; Karl C.
Stajduhar, MD; Robert N. Potter, DVM, MPH; Lisa
A. Pearse, MD, MPH; and Renu Virmani, MD

Sudden Death Study Results
• Of 126 nontraumatic sudden deaths: The most
common cause of sudden death was an
identifiable cardiac abnormality (64 of 126 recruits
[51%]); however, a substantial number of deaths
remained unexplained (44 of 126 recruits [35%]).
• The predominant structural cardiac abnormalities
were coronary artery abnormalities (39 of 64
recruits [61%]), myocarditis (13 of 64 recruits
[20%]), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (8 of 64
recruits [13%]). An anomalous coronary artery
accounted for one third (21 of 64 recruits)…
• Source: Annals Intern Med. 2004;141:829-834.

What Can PIOs Do for ICDs?
Drug Issues:
•64 percent or more of adult male arrestees that
police arrest had recently used at least one of five
drugs: cocaine (undistinguished between crack and
powder), marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, or
PCP (phencyclidine). These drugs can lead to a
higher rate of Psychosis (a psychiatric disorder such
as schizophrenia or mania that is marked by
delusions, hallucinations, incoherence, and distorted
perceptions of reality) related events and deaths.*
* http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/193013a.pdf

Drugs and ICDs?
• The Cleveland Clinic reported a standard electrical
discharge from a TASER brand device does not
induce ventricular fibrillation and that cocaine
intoxication increases the safety margin even further
• The study indicates that cocaine may not cause
arrhythmias and may actually protect against them
in the absence of pre-existing myocardial ischemia,
infarct, metabolic abnormalities or cardiomyopathy.
According to Dr. Lekkireddy, the drugs appear to
exert significant sodium channel blocking to
increase ventricular fibrillation safety thresholds

Drugs and ICDs?
• “A standard five-second stun gun application is
unlikely to cause life-threatening arrhythmias, at
least in the normal heart, irrespective of the position
of application,” said Dr. Lekkireddy.
• Cocaine does not make the heart more susceptible
to fibrillation.**
** Pharmacotherapy 1996 May-Jun;16(3):429-37. The effect of cocaine on
Ventricular fibrillation threshold in the normal canine heart. Tisdale JE,
Shimoyama H, Sabbah HN, Webb CR.

ICD Third Party Contacts
William Lewinski, Ph.D.
Minnesota State University Mankato and the
Force Science Research Center®
507-389-2832
bl@forcescience.org
Deborah Mash, Ph.D.
University of Miami Professor of Neurology,
Professor of Molecular and Cellular
Pharmacology
Studies brain tissue after in custody death for
chemical changes in the brain
305-243-5888
dmash@med.miami.edu
Dr. James Cairns, M.D., M.E. (pronounced
Karens)
Deputy Chief Coroner
Office of Chief Coroner for Ontario Canada
The authoritative coroner on in custody
deaths
416-314-4015
Jim.Cairns@jus.gov.on.ca

John Peters, Ph.D.: john@ipicd.com
Dave Berman: adavidberman@verizon.net
Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody
Death. See http://www.ipicd.com for resource
information
866-944-4723
Charlie Mesloh, Ph.D.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Director Weapons & Equip Research Institute
239-590-7761
cmesloh@fgcu.edu
Scott Greenwood
National Board of the American Civil Liberties
Union (ACLU)
513-943-4200
law@scottgreenwood.com
Michael Brave, J.D., M.S.
President of LAAW International, Inc .
Outside counsel for TASER International
Brave@laaw.com

Amnesty International
Amnesty International often uses deaths “associated”
to TASER ECDs. According to a March 12, 2007
Associated Press story:
“Amnesty International estimates that 232 people
have died in the United States and Canada after
being shocked by TASERs, but its researchers
admit the tally is totally unscientific, based mostly
on media reports. TASER says it has offered to
settle the matter by co-sponsoring research on the
health risks of stun guns, but Amnesty has
refused.”
Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070312/taser_rebound.html?.v=1

General Safety
• A key study performed by Wayne McDaniel and
published in the peer-reviewed January 2005 PACE
(Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology) journal
• McDaniel ran experiments on nine swine ranging in
weigh from 30 kg (66 pounds) to 117 kg (257.4
pounds). From the experiments, McDaniel conclude
(See table 1), that there is a 15 to 1 safety margin
when a TASER is used on the 30kg swine and up to
a 42 to 1 safety margin when used on swine greater
than 80 kg. The average safety margin was found to
be 28 to 1.

General Safety
• It is generally accepted in the scientific community
that a swine heart is anatomically similar to a human
heart and as such pigs are used in most heart
related medical studies
• Thus, based on McDaniel’s experiment and
published results, TASER International is able to say
that its devices have been shown to have at least a
15 to 1 safety margin, meaning the device needs to
be 15 times more powerful to cause harm, in
animals weighing as little as 66 pounds.

General Safety
TASER X26 Safety Factor
19 pulses per second
50x
4Sx
.42><

40x

.. ~

35x
30x

:.vn~

25x

20x

"'VA

. - ~22x

·IBx
- .....
......"

15x

lOx

05x
OOX

100

150
Body Weight (Ibs)

200

250

.42><

Advantages to TASER ECDs
The advantages to TASER technology are
dramatic reductions in injuries to both suspects
and law enforcement officers. Nationwide with
over 11,500 law enforcement agencies
deploying TASER devices we have begun a
law enforcement revolution in which officers
can temporarily incapacitate subjects from zero
to 35 feet away.

Advantages to TASER ECDs
• Recovery is instantaneous so the TASER
system only provides a window of
opportunity to temporarily stop someone's
dangerous actions. TASER technology isn't
a magic bullet but the field results are an
impressive 94%.

Advantages to TASER ECDs
• TASER ECDs can truly immobilize a suspect
who can overcome pain, might be on
dangerous drugs like cocaine or meth or
even emotionally disturbed, whereas other
non-lethal tools relay upon pain compliance
• The TASER system doesn't use pain
compliance but immediately stops any
coordinated action by the subject only while
the TASER system's current is flowing.

Accountability
126 DATlPORT DOWNLOAD
SERIAlHUMBEROFX26: poCHIOO~10

MOon,: ~

DATI Of DOWNLOAD: /09/08/0319:10:29

LOCAL TIMES (AL(l/lATlD fOR:

I~G~Mr~.o~'~O~O.~M~o~"=,"~io~S~'M=d~&~d~T~im=.=","='OOO)='---

DAU WGE DOWNLOADED: fAJlom

RECORDED fiRING DATA
Duro-tion
[Sees)

GMTllME

LocolTlIlle

09j09/0J 01:2312

09/08lOJ 18:23 12

n~m!lflnnl':>~'15

n~mR/I'l:llR"Jl"

Temperature
[deg C]

nME CHANGE RECORD
The log below shows the ~me Olld doles that the internal (Io<k of the 126 !los been re'Sd.
GMTTlME

Locol Twne

Change Type

09/09/0301:21:01

09/0810318:21:01

....

...

D£Y11I fiR[ RUOR!K
LocolTme

Dtlrotion

Temperature

B..

[deg. C)

r4)

09/09/0301:23'12

O!l/08lOJ 18:23 12

[Secs)
1

0910910301:23:15
09109I0301:23:2t1

09lOOJQJ 18:2)'\ 5
0911)810318:23:20

J1
J1

09/09/0301:23.31
09/08,lUJ 19.'14:29

0910810318:2331
09lO8I0312A4:29

09/08103 19:401.31
09/08/0319.44.36
09/08/0319:44-50

0910810312:401
09/13810312:44.36
O9itl8lO312:44:50

"""
"

GMT TIME

Fire records found: 8

,
1

5
12

"
"
J1
J1
J1

"
95
95

• TASER ECDs include a
unique built-in dataport
microchip system that
provides the exact time,
date and duration of field
uses by law enforcement
officers.
• This data objectively
corroborates an officer’s
report of any TASER use
incident.

Accountability Data Info
X26 DATAPORT DOWIILOAD
SElW.NUMBfROFX26: FlHl00410

MODELl:

p<Z6

DATI OF DOWNtOAD: 1°9/08/0319:10.29
tOOL TIMES CALCULATED FOR:

DATA RANGE DOWNLOADED:

IG~MT=.~O~7.~OO~.~M~"~'~'.~·'~S~""""d.~d7T~;~m~'~(Ari~·~"~,~o),---

fJi O~ll

RECORDED flRIIIG DATA
GMT TIME

Loce! T me

0910910:3 01 :23:12

09t08J0318:'l3:IZ

n~"'!lllil

m1K1Ml~

nl·nl !\

lA'7:J IS

Duration

Temperclure

[Sees]

[dBg. C]

1
1

nME CHAIIGE RECORD

.....

•

{%l

The log below shows !he lime ond dates tho1 the intelllol clol:k ollhe X26 has betn lese!.
GMT TIME

LocalTlITle

OlangeType

09/09/0301:2101

09t08J0318-21.01

,-"'" I

....

•

...

~~!W*dlOCl

DEVlU flR! RECORDS
GMT TIME

loceJ TlIlle

DUf~on

Temperature

BoO

[Sees]
1
1
5

[deg. C]

(%]

30
31
31

"
"

""
""

09/09/0301:23:12

09/OEV0318:23:IZ

09/09/0301:23.15
0910910301.2320

O9/OWOJ 18:23.15

0910910301.2331
09/08/0319.44:29

09/0810318'23.31

10
1

09/08/0319:44:36

09108/03 12--44:29
09/OlllOJ 12:44:31
09/0810312:44:36

0911J8I03 19:44.50

09lO8J0312:44.50

09/08/03190401

Fire rscords Ioond: 8

09108/03 18 23:20

31
31
31

95
95
95
95

Accountability

• A higher level of accountability is available with the
TASER CAM accessory that creates an
audio/visual digital MPEG 4 recording of all
TASER system uses.
• TASER CAM can provide a suspect's actions as
well as the officer's verbal commands whenever a
TASER system is activated

Key Message Points

• It comes down to safety, effectiveness and
accountability which no other use of force
tool can match
• The TASER is not risk free but is the safer
alternative compared to other use of force
tools

Correct Bad News Reports

Did You Note the
Reporter’s Comment?
• Reporter incorrectly stated without even
speculating: “The TASER did in fact
kill him”
- This is inaccurate, misleading and
inflammatory. The death had just
occurred. The ME hadn’t even weighed
in yet.
- Contact TASER International and seek
guidance for corrections ASAP

Fight Back with Facts

Fight Back with Facts
• “TASER death” inaccurately used
several times. “TASER is supposed to
be non-lethal…”
• End the speculation. The Sheriff
stopped the speculation immediately:
– The Sheriff took control, educated the
public with facts and provided a strong
message point

What Can PIOs Do?
• Use the correct terminology: TASER
X26, TASER device, TASER
technology, or a generic terms
Electronic Control Devices (ECDs)
– Avoid “tazed” – it damages TASER
trademark and is unprofessional in reports
– Avoid “the officer fired a TASER”
– Sound precise and clear with media and in
reports: “the officer deployed a TASER
X26”

-------PROTECT L1FE-------

17800 N. 85th St • Scottsdale, Arizona 85255 • www.TASER.com
Phone: 480.991.0797 • 800.978.2737 • Fax: 480.991.0791

TASER® Technology – Changing the World and Protecting Lives
TASER International, Inc. provides safer use-of-force options for use in the law enforcement,
military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER technology saves lives every
day and numerous independent medical studies conclude that TASER Electronic Control
Devices (ECDs) are the among the safest and most effective use-of-force options available.
TASER technology dramatically reduces injury rates to suspects and officers, thereby lowering
liability risk and improving officer safety and community security. TASER technology is
revolutionizing law enforcement and changing the world with safer, effective and accountable
tools for citizens, law enforcement, military and private security.

TASER Electronic Control Devices
TASER devices use proprietary technology to quickly incapacitate dangerous, combative or
high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves.
TASER ECDs utilize compressed nitrogen to project two small probes up to 15, 21, 25 and 35
feet (citizens can only buy the 15-foot Air Cartridge) at a speed of over 160 feet per second.
These probes are connected to the TASER system by insulated wire. An electrical signal is
transmitted through the wires to where the probes make contact with the body or clothing,
resulting in an immediate loss of the person’s neuromuscular control and the ability to perform
coordinated action for the duration of the impulse while allowing an instant recovery once the
cycle ceases. This effect is a state-of-the-art Neuro-Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) technology
that temporarily overrides the nervous system, taking over muscular control. This NMI
technology temporarily debilitates even the toughest individuals with minimal risk of injury.
TASER International markets the ADVANCED TASER M26; ADVANCED TASER M18 & M18L;
TASER® X26; TASER® X26C Citizen Defense System and the newly introduced TASER C2
Personal Protector.

Quick Stats
•
•
•
•
•
•

Over 11,500 law enforcement, correctional and military agencies in 44 countries deploy
TASER devices
– Of this over 3,500 agencies deploy to all of their patrol officers
Over 278,480 TASER brand devices have been sold to law enforcement since February
1998
Over 160,000 TASER brand devices have been sold to citizens since 1994 (legal in 43
states)
TASER ECDs for citizens are prohibited in DC, MA, RI, NY, NJ, WI, MI, HI and certain
cities and counties. CT and IL are legal with restrictions
TASER International’s headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Scottsdale,
AZ and was founded in September 1993
TASER International trades on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol TASR

TASER Safety and Medical Studies
Independent medical and scientific experts have determined TASER devices to be a safer useof-force option compared to traditional use of force tools. Field studies have reaffirmed the lifesaving value of TASER devices. Independent studies - including an extensive, multi-million
dollar three-year study conducted by the British Associations of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in
consultation with the British Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB), the British Defense
Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the British Defence Scientific Advisory Council
Sub-committee on the Medical Implications of Less-lethal Weapons (DOMILL), as well as a U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD) study involving approximately 20 medical and research doctors
from a dozen academic, government and private institutions - have reaffirmed the overall safety
and effectiveness of TASER’s life-saving technology. In January 2005, the Pacing and Clinical
Electrophysiology (PACE) Journal published the results of a cardiac safety study of TASER
technology and stated, “There has been no report directly related to its risk of inducing
ventricular fibrillation (VF), although preliminary findings suggest that the likelihood of inducing
VF by neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) discharge is extremely low. We hypothesized that
the induction of VF would require significantly greater discharge levels than delivered by
electrical NMI devices fielded by law enforcement agencies.”
•

Dr. Richard Luceri, a renowned cardiac rhythm specialist and member of the Scientific
and Medical Advisory Board for TASER International concluded, “The PACE article,
using pigs of comparable human weights (66 to 257 lbs), confirms the extraordinarily
wide safety margins for fibrillation induction in TASER-like products. Average fibrillation
induction required 28 times the energy of commercially available TASER products, far
greater than the safety margin of most cardiac drugs approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration. These data add scientifically validated support to the large
database of favorable TASER outcomes collected in the field,” concluded Dr. Luceri.
For a comprehensive look at the safety of TASER technology, please visit
www.taser.com/savinglives.

About TASER International, Inc.
Co-founders Rick Smith and Tom Smith formed AIR TASER, Inc. in 1993 with the initial TASER
inventor Jack Cover. In 1998 AIR TASER, Inc. became TASER International, Inc. in response
to the Company’s international expansion and increased market share. TASER International,
Inc. became a public company in May 2001, and began public trading on the NASDAQ stock
exchange under the symbol TASR. TASER International’s state-of-the-art 100,000 square-foot
corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility are located in Scottsdale, AZ.
For further corporate and investor information, please visit www.TASER.com and select
“Investor Relations” or contact Investor Relations at (800) 978-2737 or IR@TASER.com.
®

© 2006-2007 TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC. TASER IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SHAPED PULSE™ AND THE GLOBE & LIGHTNING BOLT LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC

- - - - - - - PROTECT LIFE - - - - - - -

TASER® TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY WITH Q&As
Synopsis: The TASER® X26 (TASER X26C and TASER® C2 for citizens) and the ADVANCED
TASER® M-Series (M26 for law enforcement/military and M18L and M18 for citizens) are the
electronic control devices (ECDs) that can immediately stop a truly aggressive, focused, combat
trained attacker. Suspects can recover immediately as electricity cannot be stored by the
human body.
Range: 15-35 feet for law enforcement and military, 15 feet only for citizens. Depending on the
TASER Cartridge, the TASER ECDs can be deployed from 0 to 35 feet (0 to 10.67 meters).
TASER Cartridges are available in cartridges with ranges of 15, 21, 25 and 35 feet.
Method of Incapacitation:
TASER ECDs utilize a state-of-the-art Neuro-Muscular
Incapacitation (NMI) technology that temporarily overrides the nervous system, taking over
muscular control. This NMI technology temporarily debilitates even the toughest individuals with
minimal risk of injury. Existing stun systems stimulate sensory neurons and can be over-ridden
by a focused individual. The TASER devices directly stimulate motor nerve tissue, causing
incapacitation regardless of mental focus, training, size, or drug induced dementia.
Accountability with Dataport Systems:
• The TASER X26 stores time, date, duration, temperature & energy cell status of over 1,500
firings. Data accessed through USB into encrypted secure “.x26” file format on Windows®
PC (Windows® 2000, XP, or ME).
• The ADVANCED TASER M26's on-board memory can download the time and date of its
most recent 500+ uses to protect officers from unfounded charges of misuse of force.
M26 Power Supply: AA Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries 1.2 volts
AA Hi-Output Alkaline (i.e., Duracell® Ultra) batteries 1.5 volts
X26 Power Supply: Digital Power Magazine (DPM) with lithium energy cells and digital
memory. 6-volt output, 10-yr shelf life.
C2 Power Supply:

C2 Lithium Power Magazine lithium energy cells and digital memory. 6volt output, 10-yr shelf life.

Power:

M26: 26 watts; 0.50 joules per pulse into load; and 3.6mA avg. current
M18L/M18: 18 watts; 0.50 joules per pulse into load; and 3.6mA avg.
current
X26: 5 watts; 0.07 joules per pulse; and 2.1 mA average current
C2: (approximately): 5 watts; 0.07 joules per pulse; 2.1 mA average
current

Training:

The TASER devices use similar hand motions and muscle memory as
standard semi-automatic pistols, reducing the amount of time required to
train and increasing accuracy under stress. Minimum recommended law
enforcement user training is 6 hours; certified instructor training is 16
hours.

What is a TASER electronic control device?
A TASER device is an electronic control device that is a safer use-of-force option for law
enforcement, private security, military and personal defense. The advantages to TASER
technology are dramatic reductions in injuries to both suspects and law enforcement officers.
No other law enforcement tool has undergone as extensive international scientific testing and
scrutiny as TASER technology. Although, no use of force device is risk free including TASER
technology, medical experts and recent independent comprehensive reports from the
governments of Canada, United Kingdom and the U.S. have concluded that TASER systems
are among the safer use-of-force alternatives to subdue violent individuals who could harm law
enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves.”
“The advantage is that TASER technology can truly immobilize a suspect who can overcome
pain, might be on dangerous drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine or even emotionally
disturbed, whereas other use of force tools relay upon pain compliance. The TASER system
doesn't use pain compliance but immediately stops any coordinated action by the subject only
while the TASER system's current is flowing. Recovery is instantaneous so the TASER system
only provides a window of opportunity to temporarily stop someone's dangerous actions."
How does a TASER device work?
TASER devices utilize compressed nitrogen to project two small probes up to various ranges of
15, 21, 25 or 35 feet only 15 foot cartridges are sold to citizens) at a speed of over 160 feet per
second. These probes are connected to the TASER device by insulated wire. An electrical
signal is transmitted through the wires to where the probes make contact with the body or
clothing, resulting in an immediate loss of the person’s neuromuscular control and the ability to
perform coordinated action for the duration of the impulse.
Why use a TASER device?
TASER devices save lives and are generically known as electronic control devices. TASER
brand devices are among the safer use-of-force options available today. TASER systems use
proprietary technology to immediately incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk individuals
who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves. TASER devices
have been proven statistically to dramatically reduce injury rates to suspects and officers and
increase officer safety and community security compared to any other use of force option.
Are TASER devices safe?
TASER technology is not risk free, but Independent medical and scientific experts have
determined that when used properly, TASER technology is among the most effective use-offorce interventions available to law enforcement. No other law enforcement tool has undergone
as extensive international scientific testing and scrutiny as TASER technology.
Numerous recent independent studies - including an extensive, multi-million dollar three-year
study conducted by the United Kingdom’s Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in
consultation with the British Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB), the British Defence
Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the British Defence Scientific Advisory Council
Sub-committee on the Medical Implications of Less-lethal Weapons (DOMILL), as well as a U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD) study involving approximately 20 medical and research doctors
from academic, government and private institutions - have reaffirmed the life-saving value of

Peer reviewed study used adult pigs chosen to simulate range of adult human body
weights between 30 and 120 kg (66 lbs. and 264 lbs.)
Peer reviewed study used adult pigs chosen to simulate range of adult human body
weights between 30 and 120 kg (66 lbs. and 264 lbs.
Results suggest a safety index > 20:1 for human adults > 45 kg (100 lbs.)

PACE Study

45
40

~
~

~ 25

.l!!

c'l

10 -I--..,----,----,----,----,---.------,------,-----,-----r-----,
20

100

110

120

130

Weight (Kg)

For more information on TASER safety, or to download copies of independent medical studies,
please visit www.TASER.com.
What about accountability?
TASER International has taken it upon itself to implement numerous measures to ensure that its
electronic control devices are among the safest and most accountable, use-of-force alternatives
in the world. These accountability measures include the development of an on-board computer
called the dataport system that records a set of data each time the trigger is pulled. No other
use of force option provides this level of accountability through documentation and deployment
data.
In addition, we recently developed the TASER CAM™ which is a an integrated video system
that records more than 90 minutes of audio and video during a TASER X26 deployment
providing yet another layer of accountability. No other law enforcement tool can claim such
unique and proven accountability systems that provide a check and balances system in place
for each local law enforcement agency.

For citizen accountability, each TASER cartridge is serialized and registered to its user and
includes a tracking program that disperses dozens of confetti-sized film at the scene under our
Anti-Felon Identification (AFID) program.
To citizens to purchase a TASER X26C or a TASER C2 it comes down three factors:
Registration, verification and tracking.
TASER X26C: At the time of purchase, we gather extensive personal information to
verify the identity and background of the prospective buyer with the understanding that
we will not release the information and it will be kept confidential. This data maintains
the integrity of our Anti-Felon Identification (AFID) system as private unless a TASER
device is used in the commission of a crime in which we can trace the identity of the unit
and the owner of the device through the confetti that is deployment any time our TASER
devices are deployed. Online purchases of TASER X26C units require a valid Social
Security Number in which ChoicePoint verifies this information and reviews for felonies,
terrorist watch lists and proof of age. The device can then be purchased via credit card
which is also verified.
TASER C2: The TASER C2 Personal Protector is the first device to incorporate a
revolutionary new public safety background check technology called CheckLok™. Next
generation background check technology ensures full compliance with user identification
and screening. The TASER C2 ships in a locked state and can only be unlocked by with
an activation code received upon successful registration with a identification verification
and background check approval from the privacy of using a secure web site or a toll-free
number.
After completing the background check, the user is issued an activation code unique to
their serial number. The TASER C2 will work only after entering the activation code.
CheckLok ensures compliance, registration, and provides corporate responsibility.
How does the TASER CAM™ work?
The TASER CAM provides enhanced accountability above and beyond the TASER Dataport
system. The TASER X26 provides an audio/visual black and white MPEG 4 video of any
activation. The monochromatic lens can record video in complete darkness. The system
activates whenever the safety is placed in the “off” position and stops when the system is
stopped by placing the safety to the “on” position. Now, an officer's report not only is
corroborated by its internal audit system but it captures the event on video. Imagine seeing the
suspect's behavior and hearing the officer's verbal commands. We are all about effectiveness,
accountability and safety.
What is the AFID program?
TASER International’s unique Anti-Felon Identification (AFID) system enforces accountability for
each use of the TASER device via the dispersal of tiny unique coded tags every time the device
is fired. When police are called to investigate a use of a TASER device, they can locate these
tags and contact TASER International for a complete trace on the serial number.

What is the difference between the TASER X26 and the TASER X26C?
TASER X26C: The main difference in the X26C vs. X26 law enforcement model is that the
X26C model uses a 10-second cycle vs. a 5-second cycle and the range. Citizens have 15 foot
range versus 25 foot range for law enforcement. Moreover, the X26C trigger can be triggered
several times to create a 30-second cycle. The user can then deploy the X26C, squeeze the
trigger 3 times quickly to create a 30-second cycle (3 x 10 second cycle = 30 seconds), place
the X26C on the ground and depart a dangerous scene while the X26C safely disables the
intruder. The law enforcement version cannot be squeezed multiple times to create back to
back cycles. The law enforcement X26 uses a 5-second cycle. It can be overridden by the user
but the instant the finger is off the trigger, the cycle stops. Multiple trigger pulls will not change
the 5-second cycle either.
Who do I contact for more information?
For more information on TASER technology, please contact TASER International, Inc.
headquarters at: 1-800-978-2737 or info@TASER.com.

NEWS
RockyMountainNews.com
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5683690,00.html

Deputy would have been justified using lethal force
By Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News
August 27, 2007

BOULDER, CO – The sheriff's deputy who was first on the scene would have been justified using lethal force against
a knife-wielding man at the University of Colorado who cut a student's neck, stabbed himself and terrorized observers
on the morning of the first day of class Monday.
Boulder County Sheriff's Office Division Chief Dennis Hopper said Deputy Stuart Holt, a veteran officer, had to make
quick decisions as the incoherent suspect – whom CU police identified as 39-year-old Kenton Astin of Boulder,
waved a steak knife over his head and said he had a bomb.
"The officer used restraint," Hopper said. "If deadly force was used it probably would have been justified."
Hopper said if the suspect had begun approaching other students instead of stabbing himself, the outcome could
have been much different.
Hopper said Holt was off-duty working traffic patrol on his day off at a parking lot nearby when he walked to the
University Memorial Center – described as the nerve center of student life on campus — to get some water. That's
when he saw freshman Michael George Knorps holding his neck near the sidewalk in front of the UMC and realized
the young man had been slashed.
Holt drew his gun as terrified students looked on, Hopper said. Astin babbled about "the end of the world", stabbed
himself about six times in the chest and began counting down as if he was planning to detonate a bomb with a cell
phone in his hand.
That's when Boulder police officer John Smith, a 21-year veteran with the department, arrived. He was returning to
the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Broadway to do traffic control on his motorcycle when he heard unusual
shouting coming from the direction of the UMC.
It was 9:43 a.m.
Two female students walked past him and asked, "Is that real?" as they motioned over their shoulders. They didn't
say anything else when Smith asked for more details. Another pair of students told him a student had just been cut.
Once he got to the scene, Smith indicated to Holt, who was standing at the bottom of a set of stairs from Astin, that
he had a Taser.
After a few tense moments, Astin dropped the knife but continued making suicidal statements, such as, "Go ahead
and kill me" and "Make me do the floppy," Smith said in an interview Monday afternoon at police headquarters. When
Astin continued to refuse to follow commands and began walking toward him, Smith fired the Taser at his chest as
Astin continued his countdown.
"I remember thinking, "Do I Tase him before he gets to 1? I think I did Tase him before he got to 1."
Still, it took about six people to wrestle Astin to the ground and get his hands behind his back, Smith said.
He was transported for medical treatment and listed in serious condition at Boulder Community Hospital. Witnesses
attended to Knorps, who was laying on a bench, until paramedics arrived.
The finance major underwent surgery Monday afternoon to repair tissue and muscle damage. He was conscious and
talking as he went into the operating room and was expected to fully recover. His parents were en route from Illinois
to Colorado.
Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson said he talked to Knorps before surgery and when told the chancellor wanted to talk
to him, Knorps quipped, "Who's the chancellor" or "What's the chancellor?"
"He seemed to be in good spirits," Peterson said.
His, parents, though remained concerned.
"They want to know how this could happen," Peterson said. "They're very concerned for their son, for his safety and
his health."
School officials said Knorps, who lives in Darley Towers at Williams Village, was expected to be released to relatives
in Boulder and able to attend classes today.
Knorps is the sixth of seven children in a tight-knit family. Knorps chose the CU in part because his older sister and
brother live in Boulder, said Knorps' uncle, Leon Knorps, of Naperville, Ill. He described his nephew as an active and
athletic young man who played basketball in high school. Knorps also said his nephew was "a real smart kid" who
had a variety of colleges from which to choose.
Rocky Mountain News staff writers Rosa Ramirez, Justin Coons and Erika Gonzalez contributed to this report.

,., D''''

JOURNAL

s.e.vt>s~,

Will, Iroq.>Oll, f«d,

Corund'f a L"'lng<Ion C<lUfIl.Ift.

http://www.daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=401855

Illinois student injured in knife attack on University of
Colorado campus
2007-08-28
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- An incoherent man slashed the throat of a University of Colorado student during
the first day of classes, then began stabbing himself, school officials said.
Michael George Knorps, 17, of Winnetka, Ill., underwent surgery to repair damaged tissue in his neck but
was doing well, university spokesman Bronson Hilliard said.
The freshman was conscious after the attack outside CU's student center and had spoken to family
members by phone, Hilliard said.
The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Kenton Drew Astin, worked at CU last year as a cashier at the
Alferd Packer Grill at the student center, school officials said. He was arrested and hospitalized Monday
with serious stab wounds, the school said.
Astin was sent to a state mental hospital in 2001 after being accused of stabbing a 21-year-old Longmont
man. Court records show Astin pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on charges including attempted
first-degree murder in that case.
Hilliard said there was no sign the school had performed a background check on Astin, who was hired
through a program run by the county mental health center. Astin left his job in April because his
temporary contract was over.
"Had we been aware at that time, obviously that would have been a huge red flag," he said of the
charges.
CU Chancellor Bud Peterson said the school would immediately change its policies on background
checks.
The university said Astin drove to the campus, walked to a terrace outside the student center and then
showed a knife while talking or yelling incoherently.
He grabbed Knorps from behind and cut his throat before the student was able to break free.
A Boulder city police officer and a sheriff's deputy who were nearby rushed to the scene and campus
officers arrived shortly after that, Hilliard said.
When officers ordered Astin to drop the knife, he began stabbing himself, so police stunned him with a
Taser and arrested him, the school said.
The university used its new emergency text-messaging service to alert students to the attack, Hilliard
said.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070312/BUSINESS/703120311/1003

BUSINESS

Taser over the shock of
safety questions
Stun weapons in hands of 10,000
police officers
March 12, 2007
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taser International Inc. co-founder Tom Smith
has never understood the hostility directed at his
company's stun guns.
Demonstration.
Stephen Tuttle of Taser International demostrates the Taser X26, the company's standard police-issue model. AP

Taser's electroshock weapons were created to reduce injuries, Smith said. Police no longer need to hit people with
billy clubs or shoot them with bone-cracking rubber bullets.
"I figured the people that were going to lead the parade for us would be Amnesty International and the ACLU,"
Smith said. "Instead they're our biggest detractors."
Human rights groups continue to warn that Tasers may cause heart attacks. But two years after its stock price
plunged under the weight of intense government scrutiny, wrongful death lawsuits and a storm of negative press,
Taser is back on the rise.
The sleek, battery-powered weapons are now strapped to officers' hips in more than 10,000 of 18,000 law
enforcement agencies in the United States.
Internationally, Taser sales have exploded, with products now sold in 44 countries.
Though its stock remains flat and well below its peak in 2004, analysts have big expectations this year. Taser has
boosted profits each of the past four quarters as Smith aggressively defended his weapons in the media and the
courtroom. Taser paid for research into the health risks of stun gun shocks, and, on occasion, has sued coroners who
included Tasers as a possible cause of someone's death.
Matthew McKay, an analyst with Jefferies & Co., predicts Taser will be Wall Street's top performing stock in 2007.
McKay expects Taser to record $105 million in sales this year and its stock to more than double in value as investors
realize the company isn't going away.
"You've got a company that a lot of people have written off," McKay said.
In May, Taser will begin selling a smaller version of its police weapons to the public. Available in a variety of colors
including metallic pink, the Taser C2 can stop people from 15 feet away "allowing you to protect yourself and your
family from a safe distance," according to the brochure.
Taser also plans to expand its product line to the military, a market with a potentially huge interest.
Smith said he envisions a day when U.S. Marines can shock insurgents from 100 feet away using a wireless Taser
tucked into a shotgun shell. He sees national borders and embassies protected by a mine-like Taser device that
shoots electrically charged darts at people who come too close. Neither of those products is on the market yet.
"The military is a big part of where we think the business is going to go," Smith said.
Inside Taser's futuristic glass-and-steel headquarters in Scottsdale, employees still bristle when someone brings up
Amnesty International or the day in 2005 when the company's reputation began to unravel.
Smith, a lifelong sci-fi buff, founded Taser with his brother, Rick, in 1993, in hopes of ushering in a new generation
of weapons. He figured people would eventually see Tasers as he did -- as science's best attempt at the Star Trek
"phaser" gun, which could incapacitate a target without killing.

"We can send a man on the moon, talk on cell phones, all of these things. But really the technology to defend
yourself, which is one of those needs back to the caveman days, hasn't really advanced other than inflicting more
pain," he said.
The brothers hired Jack Cover, an aging inventor who had dabbled in electroshock weapons. He called his invention
the Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle (Taser) after a series of adventure novels.
The company developed a number of different stunning devices in the 1990s, including an unwieldy and expensive
"Auto Taser" stun club that fastened to steering wheels to shock would-be car thieves.
In 2003, Taser started gaining momentum on Wall Street as the Smiths peddled their M26 and X26 stun guns to
police. The guns shoot two barbed darts attached to wires that deliver up to 1.3 watts of electrical current for several
seconds, temporarily immobilizing people from a safe distance.
"Sales were going through the roof," Smith said. "Virtually no one was competing with us."
But on Jan. 6, 2005, a letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission rolled into Taser corporate offices. The
federal agency said it was looking into the company's safety claims and a $1.5 million sale that appeared to inflate
the company's sales to meet annual projections.
Taser had previously brushed aside claims from human rights groups that its weapons were potentially lethal. Now
the government was going to take a look.
"I was infuriated," Smith said. "We knew the perception was 'Wow, they must have done something wrong.' "
Taser's stock plunged 30 percent the following day to $22.72 per share. Within a few months, it was worth $8.09.
Shareholders weren't happy. They filed class action lawsuits, claiming company executives misled shareholders
about Taser's business practices and the guns' general safety. Taser eventually paid $20 million to settle with its
shareholders while not admitting fault.
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard also started asking questions about Taser's safety claims in 2005. His
office ended its inquiry several months later after Taser changed its promotional materials.
Instead of "non-injurious," Taser's Web site now characterizes its guns as "generally safe."
The SEC completed its investigation into Taser at the end of 2005 without recommending any enforcement against
the company. Another federal investigation, this one by the Department of Justice, is ongoing.
Steve Tuttle, Taser's vice president of communications, said he's tried to learn from the experience.
The company's public information staff now encourages police departments to publicize incidents when stun guns
are helpful. Taser sends reporters e-mails whenever the stun guns helped stop suicide attempts or prevent brawls, or
when the company has video of its guns being used in a positive way.
Taser's PR department also has armed itself with stacks of research reports -- some of which the company paid for -showing that Taser stun guns pose only limited, if any, health risks.
Taser contends that its weapons have never been the primary cause of somebody's death, and so far nobody has been
able to prove the company wrong in court. Taser boasts it has won 37 straight wrongful death or injury lawsuits,
with the judge either dismissing the case or ruling in favor of Taser.
"It's extremely difficult" to prove Taser responsible, said John Dillingham, a Phoenix attorney who lost a wrongful
injury lawsuit against Taser in 2005.
Dillingham represented a retired Maricopa County sheriff's deputy who said he was injured by a Taser in a training
exercise. Lawyers for Taser said the stun gun wasn't to blame for the deputy's hurt back, pointing out he was
suffering from osteoporosis.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Department later became one of Taser's biggest clients.
Dillingham said it would take a victim who had been in perfect health to beat Taser in court: "A teen or someone in
their 20s who is in a crowd and who is inadvertently hit with a Taser and dies," he said. "There's no drugs. There's
no alcohol. That person just died."
Meanwhile, human rights groups say they've watched Taser's rise with dismay.
Amnesty International estimates that 232 people have died in the United States and Canada after being shocked by
Tasers, but its researchers admit the tally is totally unscientific, based mostly on media reports. Taser says it has
offered to settle the matter by co-sponsoring research on the health risks of stun guns, but Amnesty has refused.
"It's a matter of huge dispute as to whether or not the Tasers directly cause deaths, and there are many cases where
the coroner has not found a link," said Angela Wright, a researcher in London who collects information on stun gun
deaths for Amnesty International.
Tuttle, who has spent much of last year burnishing the company's image in the media, said a lot of people don't
realize this.
"In 2005, it felt like I was in a boxing match with one glove behind my back," Tuttle said.
"It was brutal," he added. "Now we're not getting bombarded everyday with a crisis."

http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_D_taser12.3b74814.html#

After scrutiny over safety, Taser rebounds
with profits, good outlook
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, March 11, 2007
By CHRIS KAHN
The Associated Press
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. - Taser International Inc. co-founder Tom Smith has never understood the hostility directed
at his company's stun guns.
Story continues below

AP photo
Stephen Tuttle, vice president of communications at Taser International Inc., demonstrates the Taser X26 at company headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz.

TASER C2

Human rights groups continue to warn that Tasers may cause heart attacks. But two years after its stock price
plunged under the weight of intense government scrutiny, wrongful death lawsuits and a storm of negative press,
Taser is back on the rise.
The sleek, battery-powered weapons are now strapped to officers' hips in more than 10,000 of 18,000 law
enforcement agencies in the United States. Internationally, Taser sales have exploded, with products now sold in 44
countries.

Story continues below

TASER X26

Though its stock remains flat and well below its peak in 2004, analysts have big expectations this year. Taser has
boosted profits each of the past four quarters as Smith aggressively defended his weapons in the media and the
courtroom. Taser paid for research into the health risks of stun gun shocks, and, on occasion, has sued coroners who
included Tasers as a possible cause of someone's death.
Matthew McKay, an analyst with Jefferies & Co., predicts Taser will be Wall Street's top performing stock in 2007.
McKay expects Taser to record $105 million in sales this year and its stock to more than double in value as investors
realize the company isn't going away.
"You've got a company that a lot of people have written off," McKay said.
In May, Taser will begin selling a smaller version of its police weapons to the public. Available in a variety of
colors, including metallic pink, the Taser C2 can stop people from 15 feet away "allowing you to protect yourself
and your family from a safe distance," the brochure says.
Taser also plans to expand its product line to the military, a market with a potentially huge interest.
Smith said he envisions a day when U.S. Marines can shock insurgents from 100 feet away using a wireless Taser
tucked into a shotgun shell. He sees national borders and embassies protected by a mine-like Taser device that
shoots electrically charged darts at people who come too close.

TABER

JNT£R.NATIONA.L

lAi

17800 N. 85 St· Scottsdale, Arizona 85255· www.TASER.com
Phone: 480.991.0797· 800.978.2737· Fax: 480.991.0791

TASER@ Technology - Changing the World and Protecting Lives
TASER International, Inc. provides safer use-of-force options for use in the law enforcement,
military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER technology saves lives every
day and numerous independent medical studies conclude that T ASER Electronic Control
Devices (ECDs) are the among the safest and most effective use-of-force options available.
T ASER technology dramatically reduces injury rates to suspects and officers. thereby lowering
liability risk and improving officer safety and community security. TASER technology is
revolutionizing ·Iaw enforcement and changing the world with safer. effective and accountable
tools for citizens, law enforcement. military and private security.

TASER Electronic Control Devices
TASER devices use proprietary technology to quickly incapacitate dangerous. combative or
high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers. innocent citizens or themselves.
TASER ECDs utilize compressed nitrogen to project two small probes up to 15. 21. 25 and 35
feet (citizens can only buy the 15-foot Air Cartridge) at a speed of over 160 feet per second.
These probes are connected to the TASER system by insulated wire. An electrical signal is
transmitted through the wires to where the probes make contact with the body or clothing.
resulting in an immediate loss of the person's neuromuscular control and the ability to perform
coordinated action for the duration of the impulse while allowing an instant recovery once the
cycle ceases. This effect is a state-of-the-art Neuro-Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) technology
that temporarily overrides the nervous system. taking over muscular control. This NMI
technology temporarily debilitates even the toughest individuals with minimal risk of injury.
TASER International markets the ADVANCED TASER M26; ADVANCED TASER M18 & M18L;
T ASER® X26; T ASER® X26 c Citizen Defense System and the newly introduced TASER C2
Personal Protector.

Quick Stats
•

•
•
•
•
•

Over 11,000 law enforcement. correctional and military agencies in 44 countries deploy
TASER devices
- Of this over 3.500 agencies deploy to all of their patrol officers
Over 260.000 TASER brand devices have been sold to law enforcement since February
1998
Over 136,000 TASER brand devices have been sold to citizens since 1994 (legal in 43
states)
TASER ECDs for citizens are prohibited in DC, MA, RI, NY. NJ, WI, MI, HI and certain
cities and counties. CT and IL are legal with restrictions.
TASER International's headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Scottsdale,
AZ and was founded in September 1993
TASER International trades on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol TASR

TASER Safety and Medical Studies
Independent medical and scientific experts have determined TASER devices to be a safer useof-force option compared to traditional use of force tools. Field studies have reaffirmed the lifesaving value of TASER devices. Independent studies - including an extensive, multi-million
dollar three-year study conducted by the British Associations of Chief Police. Officers (ACPO) in
consultation with the British Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB), the British Defense
Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the British Defence Scientific Advisory Council
Sub-committee on the Medical Implications of Less-lethal Weapons (DOMILL), as well as a U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD) study involving approximately 20 medical and research doctors
from a dozen academic, government and private institutions - have reaffirmed the overall safety
and effectiveness of TASER's life-saving technology. In January 2005, the Pacing and Clinical
Electrophysiology (PACE) Journal published the results of a cardiac safety study of TASER
technology and stated, 'There has been no report directly related to its risk of inducing
ventricular fibrillation (VF), although preliminary findings suggest that the likelihood of inducing
VF by neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) discharge is extremely low. We hypothesized that
the induction of VF would require significantly greater discharge levels than delivered by
electrical NMI devices fielded by law enforcement agencies."
•

Dr. Richard Luceri, a renowned cardiac rhythm specialist and member of the Scientific
and Medical Advisory Board for TASER International concluded, "The PACE article,
using pigs of comparable human weights (66 to 257 Ibs), confirms the extraordinarily
wide safety margins for fibrillation induction in TASER-like products. Average fibrillation
induction required 28 times the energy of commercially available TASER products, far
greater than the safety margin of most cardiac drugs approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration. These data add scientifically validated support to the large
database of favorable TASER outcomes collected in the field," concluded Dr. Luceri.
For a comprehensive look at the safety of TASER technology, please visit
www.taser.com/savinglives.

About TASER International, Inc.
Co-founders Rick Smith and Tom Smith formed AIR TASER, Inc. in 1993 with the initial TASER
inventor Jack Cover. In 1998 AIR TASER, Inc. became TASER International, Inc. in response
to the Company's international expansion and increased market share. TASER International,
Inc. became a public company in May 2001, and began public trading on the NASDAQ stock
exchange under the symbol TASR. TASER International's state-of-the-art 100,000 square-foot
corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility are located in Scottsdale, AZ.
For further corporate and investor information, please visit www.TASER.com and select
"Investor Relations" or contact Investor Relations at (800) 978-2737 or IR@TASER.com.
© 2006-1007 TASER INTERNATIONAL. INC. TASER+) IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF TASER INTERNATIONAL. INC.
SHAPED PULSEnt AND THE GLOBE & LIGHTNING BOLT LOGO ARE TRADEMARI(S OF TASER INTERNATIONAL,INC

] ti !t'r; J3t.

TASER® TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY WITH Q&As
Synopsis: The TASER'" X26 (TASER X26C and TASER'" C2 for citizens) and the ADVANCED
TASER'" M-Series (M26 for law enforcement/military and M18L and M18 for citizens) are the
electronic control devices (ECDs) that can immediately stop a truly aggressive, focused , combat
trained attacker. Suspects can recover immediately as electricity cannot be stored by the
human body.
Range: 15-35 feet for law enforcement and military, 15 feet only for citizens . Depending on the
TASER Cartridge, the TASER ECDs can be deployed from 0 to 35 feet (0 to 10.67 meters) .
TASER Cartridges are available in cartridges with ranges of 15, 21 , 25 and 35 feet.
TAS ER ECDs utilize a state-of-the-art Neuro-Muscular
Method of Incapacitation:
Incapa citation (NMI) technology that temporarily overrides the nervous system , taking over
muscular control. This NMI technology temporarily debilitates even the toughest individuals with
minimal risk of injury. Existi ng stun systems stimulate sensory neurons and ca n be over-ridden
by a focused individual. The TASER devices directly stimulate motor nerve tissue , causing
incapacitation regardless of mental focus , training, size, or drug induced dementia.
Accountability with Dataport Systems:
• The TASER X26 stores time , date, duration, temperaiure & energy cell status of over 1,500
firings. Data accessed through USB into encrypted secure ".x26" file format on Windows"
PC (Wi ndows" 2000, XP, or ME).
• The ADVANCED TASER M26's on-board memory can download the time and date of its
most recent 500+ uses to protect officers from unfounded charges of misuse of force .
M26 Power Supply: AA Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries 1.2 volts
AA Hi-Output Alkaline (i.e ., Duracell'" Ultra) batteries 1.5 volts
X26 Power Supply:

Digital Power Magazine (DPM ) with lithium energy cells and digital
memory. 6-volt output, 10-yr shelf life.

C2 Power Supply:

C2 Lithium Power Magazine lithium energy cells and digital memory. 6volt output, 1O-yr shelf life.

Power:

M26: 26 watts ; 0.50 joules per pulse into load; and 3.6mA avg . current
M18L1M18: 18 watts ; 0.50 joules per pulse into load; and 3.6mA avg .
current
X26: 5 watts ; 0.07 joules per pulse; and 2.1 mA average current
C2 : (approximately): 5 watts ; 0.07 joules per pulse ; 2.1 mA average
current

Training:

The TAS ER devices use similar hand motions and muscle memory as
standard semi-automatic pistols, reducing the amount of time required to
train and in creasing accuracy under stress . Minimum recommended law
enforcement user . training is 6 hours; certified instructor training is 16
hours.

Cl 2006·2007 TASER Interna tional, Inc TASER", Shaped Pulse t .. and the Globe /j. Lightning Bolt logo are trademarkS of T ASER International, Inc,

''The advantage is that T ASER technology' can truly immobilize a suspect who can overcome
pain, might be on dangerous drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine or even emotionally
disturbed, whereas other use of force tools relay upon pain compliance. The TASER system
doesn't use pain compliance but immediately stops any coordinated action by the subject only
while the TASER system's current is flowing. Recovery is instantaneous so the TASER system
only provides a window of opportunity to temporarily stop someone's dangerous actions."
How does a TASER device work?
TASER devices utilize compressed nitrogen to project two small probes up to various ranges of
15,21,25 or 35 feet only 15 foot cartridges are sold to citizens) at a speed of over 160 feet per
second. These probes are connected to the TASER device by insulated wire. An electrical
signal is transmitted through the wires to where the probes make contact with the body or
clothing, resulting in an immediate loss of the person's neuromuscular control and the ability to
perform coordinated action for the duration of the impulse.
Why use a TASER device?
TASER devices save lives and are generically known as electronic control devices. TASER
brand devices are among the safer use-of-force options available today. TASER systems use
proprietary technology to immediately incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk individuals
who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves. TASER devices
have been proven statistically to dramatically reduce injury rates to suspects and officers and
increase officer safety and community security compared to any other use of force option.
Are TASER devices safe?
TASER technology is not risk free, but Independent medical and scientific experts have
determined that when used properly, TASER technology is among the most effective use-offorce interventions available to law enforcement. No other law enforcement tool has undergone
as extensive international scientific testing and scrutiny as TASER technology.
Numerous recent independent studies - including an extensive, multi-million dollar three-year
study conducted by the United Kingdom's Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in
consultation with the British Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB), the British Defence
Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the British Defence Scientific Advisory Council
Sub-committee on the Medical Implications of Less-lethal Weapons (DOMILL), as well as a U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD) study involving approximately 20 medical and research doctors
from academic, government and private institutions - have reaffirmed the life-saving value of

C> 2006-2007 TASER Internalional, Inc. TASERc , Shaped Pulse 1M and the Globe & Lightning Bolt Logo are trademarks of TASER International, Inc.

TASER technology. A peer reviewed study by Journal of Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
(PACE) suggest a safety margin of greater than 20:1 for human adults greater than 100 Ibs -Acetaminophen has an 8: 1 safety margin.
Peer reviewed study used adult pigs chosen to simulate range of adult human body
weights between 30 and 120 kg (66 Ibs. and 264 Ibs.)
Peer reviewed study used adult pigs chosen to simulate range of adult human body
weights between 30 and 120 kg (66 Ibs. and 264 Ibs.
Results suggest a safety index> 20:1 for human adults> 45 kg (100 Ibs.)

PACE Study

40
35

,,//'#-

..........
/",,.,

..•,/,A' A
20

/'
A

Ii.

tOO

tto

'l2o

l30

Weight (Kg)

For more information on TASER safety, or to download copies of independent medical studies,
please visit www.TASER.com.

What about accountability?
TASER International has taken it upon itself to implement numerous measures to ensure that its
electronic control devices are among the safest and most accountable, use-of-force alternatives
in the world. These accountability measures include the development of an on-board computer
called the dataport system that records a set of data each time the trigger is pulled. No other
use of force option provides this level of accountability through documentation and deployment
data.
In addition, we recently developed the TASER CAMTM which is a an integrated video system
that records more than 90 minutes of audio and video during a TASER X26 deployment
providing yet another layer of accountability. No other' law enforcement tool can claim such
unique and proven accountability systems that provide a check and balances system in place
for each local law enforcement agency.

o 2()()6.2007 TASER International. Inc.

TASERc . Shaped Pulse TU and the Globe & Lightning Bolt Logo are trademart<s of TASER International. Inc.

For citizen accountability, each TASER cartridge is serialized and registered to its user and
includes a tracking program that disperses dozens of confetti-sized film at the scene under our
Anti-Felon Identification (AFIO) program.
To citizens to purchase a TASER X26C or a TASER C2 it comes down three factors:
Registration, verification and tracking.
TASER X26C: At the time of purchase, we gather extensive personal information to
verify the identity and background of the prospective buyer with the understanding that
we will not release the information and it will be kept confidential. This data maintains
the integrity of our Anti-Felon Identification (AFIO) system as private unless a TASER
device is used in the commission of a crime in which we can trace the identity of the unit
and the owner of the device through the confetti that is deployment any time our TASER
devices are deployed. Online purchases of TASER X26C units require a valid Social
Security Number in which ChoicePoint verifies this information and reviews for felonies,
terrorist watch lists and proof of age. The device can then be purchased via credit card
which is also verified.
TASER C2: The TASER C2 is the first device to incorporate a revolutionary new public
safety background check technology called CheckLokTM. CheckLok, TASER C2 units
are shipped in an inactivated state. They cannot be used until the end user successfully
completes a background check from the privacy of their own home using a secure web
site or a toll-free 800 number. After completing the background check, the user is issued
an activation code unique to their serial number. The TASER C2 will not operate until
the activation code is entered.
How does the TASER CAM work?
The TASER CAM provides enhanced accountability above and beyond the TASER Oataport
system. The TASER X26 provides an audio/visual black and white MPEG 4 video of any
activation. The monochromatic lens can· record video in complete darkness. The system
activates whenever the safety is placed in the "off' position and stops when the system is
stopped by placing the safety to the lion" position. Now, an officer's report not only is
corroborated by its internal audit system but it captures the event on video. Imagine seeing the
suspect's behavior and hearing the officer's verbal commands. We are all about effectiveness,
accountability and safety.
What is the AFID program?
TASER International's unique Anti-Felon Identification (AFIO) syste'm enforces accountability for
each use of the TASER device via the dispersal of tiny unique coded tags every time the device
is fired. When police are called to investigate a use of a TASER device, they can locate these
tags and contact TASER International for a complete trace on the serial number.

C 2006·2007 TASER Inlemalional, Inc. TASER-, Shaped Pulse 1U and Ihe Globe & Lightning Boll logo are Iradema/1<s of TASER Inlemalional, Inc.

What is the difference between the TASER X26 and the TASER X26C?
TASER X26C: The main difference in the X26C vs. X26 law enforcement model is that the
X26C model uses a 10-second cycle vs. a 5-second c~cle and the range. Citizens have 15 foot
range versus 25 foot range for law enforcement. Moreover, the X26C trigger can be triggered
several times to create a 30-second cycle. The user can then deploy the X26C, squeeze the
trigger 3 times quickly to create a 30-second cycle (3 x 10 second cycle 30 seconds), place
the X26C on the ground and depart a dangerous scene while the X26C safely disables the
intruder. The law enforcement version cannot be squeezed multiple times to create back to
back cycles. The law enforcement X26 uses a 5-second cycle. It can be overridden by the user
but the instant the finger is off the trigger, the cycle stops. Multiple trigger pulls will not change
the 5-second cycle either.

Who do I contact for more information?
For more information on TASER technology, please contact TASER International, Inc.
headquarters at: 1-800-978-2737 or info@TASER.com.

Q 2006·2007 TASER International. Inc. TASER~, Shaped Pulse'" and the Globe & Lightning Bolt Logo are trademarks of TASER International, Inc.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070312IBUSINESSI7031203111J 003

£toridatodaY8~Jn

BUSINESS
Taser over the shock of safety questions
Stun weapons in hands of 10,000 police officers
March 12,2007
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taser International Inc. co-founder Tom Smith has never understood the hostility directed at his company's stun
guns.
Taser's electroshock weapons were created to reduce injuries, Smith said. Police no longer need to hit people with
billy clubs or shoot them with bone-cracking rubber bullets.
"I figured the people that were going to lead the parade for us would be Amnesty International and the ACLU,"
Smith said. "Instead they're our biggest detractors. II
Human rights groups continue to warn that Tasers may cause heart attacks. But two years after its stock price
plunged und,er the weight of intense government scrutiny, wrongful death lawsuits and a storm of negative press,
Taser is back on the rise.
The sleek, battery-powered weapons are now strapped to officers' hips in more than 10,000 of 18,000 law
enforcement agencies in the United States.
Internationally, Taser sales have exploded, with products now sold in 44 countries.
Though its stock remains flat and well below its peak in 2004, analysts have big expectations this year. Taser has
boosted profits each of the past four quarters as Smith aggressively defended his weapons in the media and the
courtroom. Taser paid for research into the health risks of stun gun shocks, and, on occasion, has sued coroners who
included Tasers as a possible cause of someone's death.
Matthew McKay, an analyst with Jefferies & Co., predicts Taser will be Wall Street's top performing stock in 2007.
McKay expects Taser to record $105 million in sales this year and its stock to more than double in value as investors
realize the company isn't going away.
"You've got a company that a lot of people have written off, II McKay said.
In May, Taser will begin selling a smaller version of its police weapons to the public. Available in a variety of colors
including metallic pink, the Taser C2 can stop people from 15 feet away "allowing you to protect yourself and your
family from a safe distance, II according to the brochure.
Taser also plans to expand its product line to the military, a market with a potentially huge interest.
Smith said he envisions a day when U.S. Marines can shock insurgents from 100 feet away using a wireless Taser
tucked into a shotgun shell. He sees national borders and embassies protected by a mine-like Taser device that
shoots electrically charged darts at people who come too close. Neither of those products is on the market yet.
liThe military is a big part of where we think the business is going to go," Smith said.
Inside Taser's futuristic glass-and-steel headquarters in Scottsdale, employees still bristle when someone brings up ,
Amnesty International or the day in 2005 when the company's reputation began to unravel.
Smith, a lifelong sci-fi buff, founded Taser with his brother, Rick, in 1993, in hopes of ushering in a new generation
of weapons. He figured people would eventually see Tasers as he did -- as science's best attempt at the Star Trek
"phaser gun, which could incapacitate a target without killing.
IIWe can send a man on the moon, talk on cell phones, all of these things. But really the technology to defend
yourself, which is one of those needs back to the caveman days, hasn't really advanced other than inflicting more
pain, II he said.
The brothers hired Jack Cover, an aging inventor who had dabbled in electroshock weapons. He called his invention
.
the Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle (Taser) after a series of adventure novels.
The company developed a number of different stunning devices in the 1990s, including an unwieldy and expensive
"Auto Taser stun club that fastened to steering wheels to shock would-be car thieves.
In 2003, Taser started gaining momentum on Wall Street as the Smiths peddled their M26 and X26 stun guns to
police. The guns shoot two barbed darts attached to wires that deliver up to 1.3 watts of electrical current for several
seconds, temporarily immobilizing people from a safe distance.
ll

"Sales were going through the roof," Smith said. "Virtually no one was competing with us."
But on Jan. 6, 2005, a letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission rolled into Taser corporate offices. The
federal agency said it was looking into the company's safety claims and a $1.5 million sale that appeared to inflate
the company's sales to meet annual projections.
Taser had previously brushed aside claims from human rights groups that its weapons were potentially lethal. Now
the government was going to take a look.
"I was infuriated," Smith said. "We knew the perception was 'Wow, they must have done something wrong.'''
Taser's stock plunged 30 percent the following day to $22.72 per share. Within a few months, it was worth $8.09.
Shareholders weren't happy. They filed class action lawsuits, claiming company executives misled shareholders
about Taser's business practices and the guns' general safety. Taser eventually paid $20 million to settle with its
shareholders while not admitting fault.
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard also started asking questions about Taser's safety claims in 2005, His
office ended its inquiry several months later after Taser changed its promotional materials,
Instead of "non-injurious," Taser's Web site now characterizes its guns as "generally safe,"
The SEC completed its investigation into Taser at the end of 2005 without recommending any enforcement against
the company. Another federal investigation, this one by the Department of Justice, is ongoing.
Steve Tuttle, Taser's vice president of communications, said he's tried to learn from the experience.
The company's public information staff now encourages police departments to publicize incidents when stun guns
are helpful. Taser sends reporters e-mails whenever the stun guns helped stop suicide attempts or prevent brawls, or
when the company has video of its guns being used in a positive way.
Taser's PR department also has armed itself with stacks of research reports -- some of which the company paid for -showing that Taser stun guns pose only limited, if any; health risks.
Taser contends that its weapons have never been the primary cause of somebody's death, and so far nobody has been
able to prove the company wrong in court. Taser boasts it has won 37 straight wrongful death or injury lawsuits,
with the judge either dismissing the case or ruling in favor of Taser.
"It's extremely difficult" to prove Taser responsible, said John Dillingham, a Phoenix attorney who lost a wrongful
injury lawsuit against Taser in 2005.
Dillingham represented a retired Maricopa County sheriffs deputy who said he was injured by a Taser in a training
exercise. Lawyers for Taser said the stun gun wasn't to blame for the deputy's hurt back, pointing out he was
suffering from osteoporosis.
The Maricopa County Sheriffs Department later became one of Taser's biggest clients.
Dillingham said it would take a victim who had been in perfect health to beat Taser in court: "A teen or someone in
their 20s who is in a crowd and who is inadvertently hit with a Taser and dies," he said. "There's no drugs. There's
no alcohol. That person just died."
.
Meanwhile, human rights groups say they've watched Taser's rise with dismay.
Amnesty International estimates that 232 people have died in the United States and Canada after being shocked by
Tasers, but its researchers admit the tally is totally unscientific, based mostly on media reports. Taser says it has
offered to settle the matter by co-sponsoring research on the health risks of stun guns, but Amnesty has refused.
"It's a matter of huge dispute as to whether or not the Tasers directly cause deaths, and there are many cases where
the coroner has not found a link," said Angela Wright, a researcher in London who collects information on stun gun
deaths for Amnesty International.
Tuttle, who has spent much of last year burnishing the company's image in the media, said a lot of people don't
realize this.
"In 2005, it felt like I was in a boxing match with one glove behind my back," Tuttle said.
"It was brutal," he added. "Now we're not getting bombarded everyday with a crisis."

hnp:llwww.pe.com/busi ness/ local/stories/PE8iz DtaserI2.3b748 14. html #
http: //www.pc.COm /After

scrutiny over safety, Taser rebounds with profits,

good outlook
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, March 11, 2007
By C HRIS KAHN
The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, A RI Z. - Taser International Inc. co-founder Tom Sm ith has never understood
the hostility directed at hi s company's stun guns.
SIO ty ,'l,lnl1nuo:s beir.,II

AP photo

Stephen Tillite, vice president ofcornnnrnications al Taser Inlcmalional lnc., demonstrates the Taser X26 al \::omp:lll)' headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz

TAS ER C2

Human rights groups continue to warn that Tasers may cause heart attacks. But two years after
its stock price plunged under the weight of intense government scrutiny, wrongful death lawsuits
and a storm of negative press, Taser is back on the ri se.
The sleek, battery-powered weapons are now strapped to officers' hips in more than 10,000 o f
18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States. Internati onall y, Taser sales have
exp loded, with products now so ld in 44 countries.
Story ';:<>Tltinll~ S helo,,",

In May, Taser will begin selling a smaller version of its police weapons to the public. Available
in a variety of colors, including metallic pink, the Taser C2 can stop people from 15 feet away
"allowing you to protect yourself and your family from a safe distance," the brochure says.
Taser also plans to expand its product line to the military, a market with a potentially huge
interest.
Smith said he envisions a day when U.S. Marines can shock insurgents from 100 feet away using
a wireless Taser tucked into a shotgun shell. He sees national bord~rs and embassies protected by
a mine-like Taser device that shoots electrically charged darts at people who come too close.

THE ENQUIRER
Peter Bronson

L:1.~ t

L'pd;ltcd: 6:08 alll

I rhursday, July

I ~,

2006 Cincinn(lti .Co m » The Enqllirer

Drugs are deadly; Tasers are not
Ri ck Malone is a downtown beat cop and a member of th e Cincinnati Police
SW AT team . "Tasers are the best thi ng tha t has come along in po lice work in the
18 yea rs I've bee n on the force, " he says. He's right.
Tasers dramatically reduce injuries. A Florida study found an 80 percent reduction
in injuries to deput ies beca use electronic st un guns prevent violent phys ical
st ru ggles with suspects. A Phoe nix study found Tasers cut injuries to suspects by
67 percent. In 9,88 3 Taser stuns in one study, 93 percent caused no injuries, 6
percent minor injuries less than I percent serious injuries.
Amnesty Internati onal's claim that 156 people have been killed by Tase rs is flat
wrong.
"Amnesty refuses to use basic math by subtracting the cases in whic h we were
clea red," said Steve Tunle of Taser Intemational. He says the group is "distorting
th e facts."
Many headlines that have blamed Tasers for deaths have also bee n wrong. "Man
A 50,OOO· vol t arc crackles at the di es from Taser" is typical- later corrected after an autopsy. Such as:
business end of a Tascr X26 as Portland, Ore.: "The Med ford man who di ed shortl y after being shocked with a
com pany
pres ident
Tom
Smith Taser gu n by Portland police earlier th is week died of a drug overdose, the Oregon
demonstrates one device and holds up
state medical exam iner said ."
another in Seattle.
Kan sas City, Mo.: "An autopsy performed on a man who died in police custody
showed th e death wasn't a result o f the stun gun authorities used to apprehend him, acco rding to the Jackson County
medical exam iner."
Detroit: "A Dearbom man di ed of nat ural causes, not from th e Taser used by Redford Township police who arrested
him , according to an autopsy report by th e Wayne Co unty Medical Examiner's Office."
And Cinci nnati: Christop her All en Tull was runnin g in to traffi c on Interstate 75 on Saturday night. He refused to
cooperat e with police and was stunned by a Taser, then died 45 minutes later. "Man Tased on 1-75 dies in police
custody," said the headline Sunday. Then reports emerged that he had bee n on a three-day cocaine binge and
swallowed rocks o f crack.
By Wednesday, the headline was vel)' different: "Huge dru g overdose kill ed man, not the Taser za p, coroner rules."
Hamilton Cou nty Coroner O'dell Owens' message : Drugs are deadly, Tasers are not.
Doctors at th e University of Washin gton and Harvard studi ed autopsy reports on Taser deaths and found 53 percent
of the victim s had he art disease, 63 percent 'were on cocaine or methamphetamine, and 76 percent had excited
delirium, usually caused by dmg s.
Of th e 156 deaths cited by Amnesty International, only two were blamed on Tasers after autopsies. In 16, lasers
we re listed as a contributing factor.
"A stand ard five- second st un is unlik ely to ca use life-threa ten ing arrhythmia," a Cleveland Clinic stud y co ncluded.
The Canadian Police Research Cent er found "no research or evidence o f a causal relationship" between Tasers and
heart attacks, and the risk ofTasers is "extremely low."
Yet Tascrs ar"e repeatedly blamcd for fatalitics . Even suspects who died hours late,' have been listed as Taser
deaths - which is like drowning an hour after climbing out of the pool.
Tuttle hopes that's changing. "Stories on Taser systems have dropped from app roximately 110 a day to about 35 a
day," he said. "We are turning a co rner, an d one of th e main keys to this success was education abo ut our technol ogy
and safety."
Malone simply says, "Tasers are here to stay, because they are so successfuL" I-Ie's ri ght again.
E-mail pbronson@enquirer.com or c(lli 513- 768-830 I ,

·ff

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Taser deaths grossly exaggerated
By Peter Bronson
Enquirer staff writer
Coming soon to a headline near you: "Tasers kill everybody!! Film at 11.11
It's actually semi-true. Everyone who has been stunned by a Taser dies ... eventually. It's just a matter of
50 years or so.
But here's a real news story that is not actually semi-true: "More than 80 deaths have been reported since
1999 after victims were shocked with stun guns," said USA Today last week.
The "80 deaths" are greatly exaggerated. In the original Arizona Republic news story cited by USA Today,
Tasers were a contributing cause of death three times, and were not ruled out three times.
In the rest of the 70-something deaths, Tasers were used, but the causes of death were something else:
drug overdoses, medical conditions, injuries from violence during the arrest or before police arrived, etc.
Only six possible Taser fatalities is not as sensational or misleading as "80 deaths," but from what I can
tell, a lot of reporters are not doing their homework. A quick look on Google shows dozens of news stories
that parrot the "80 deaths" claim, while quoting outraged left-wing groups such as Amnesty International
and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to back it up.
Here's what the Taser scare stories don't say:
Tasers are used about 100,000 times a year by 6,000 police departments. That's five "possible" deaths in
about a half-million Taser uses.
And in Cincinnati and other cities, injuries to cops and suspects drop sharply when cops are equipped
with Tasers. According to Taser International of Scottsdale, Ariz., more than 4,000 lives have been saved
by Tasers since 1999, including cops, potential suicides, suspects who resist arrest and mental patients
who could harm themselves or kill someone else.
Sure, the company has a motive to exaggerate. But the claim is backed up by statistics. And it makes
sense for a simple reason: Tasers fill an empty slot on the use-of-force menu between pepper spray,
nightsticks and the lethal9mm last word.
Any use of force can cause some kind of injury. But critics can't get off the hook simply by saying Tasers
might be dangerous. They should be asked to answer: What's your alternative?
Tasers are often used on violent PCP "dusters" who feel no pain and have almost superhuman strength.
"Counseling" is not an option.
Suspects who get Tasered are more likely to have problems such as drug overdoses and psychiatric
medications that cause heart problems. Tasers are far less dangerous than being wrestled to the ground,
subdued with nightsticks or shot.
A Taser can be used from 16 feet away. It fires tiny darts on wires that deliver a 50,OOO-volt electrical
charge to short-circuit muscle control and cause intense pain for five seconds - long enough for cops to
slap on cuffs without getting slugged, stabbed, bitten, shot or hit with a brick.
In other words, Tasers are a lot like the imaginary Tom A. Swift Electric Rifle (TASER), which is what they
were named in a 1911 book by Victor Appleton: "a concentrated charge of electricity, which is shot fro~
the barrel with great force ... that flies through space (and) strikes the object aimed at."
They actually work as advertised. Just ask any cop who has used· one or volunteered to be Tasered
during training. They are not "Star Trek" props.
The science fiction is in the "deadly Tasers" headlines that are short on science and long on fiction.
E-mail pbronson@enguirer.com orca" (513) 768-8301.

THE ENQUIRER
ONLlf\E EDJTIOf\. or- THE

Re3J[lt5 #1 NJil,'\SPAPF.R

Taser-shock: I agree with ACLU
The Cincinnati Enquirer
By Peter Bronson
June 14,2005
Here's a shocking story: Scott Greenwood, the top ACLU lawyer in Ohio, getting Tasered.
"I'm sure some people will be glad to hear it," he said. "I-have it on video, so you can put it on your screen
saver to hear me scream."
But wait, hold the applause. Greenwood volunteered to be Tased so he could find out what it's like. And
he's one of the biggest supporters of Tasers in Cincinnati.
"I think when they're used properly, Tasers can really be effective at reducing injuries to citizens and
police officers," he says.
That's a jolt to the protesters and City Council members who want to take Tasers away from the police.
The ACLU leader who has sued the police for use of force says they are "naiVe."
"Timothy Thomas would be alive today if police were using Tasers. So would Michael Carpenter,
Lorenzo Collins and Roger Owensby," Greenwood said, naming black men whose deaths while resisting
arrest sparked lawsuits and, in the case of Thomas, rioting.
He understands an important point: Some people will get killed by police no matter what the cops do to
. avoid it, but Tasers are a far safer, easy to track, less-lethal alternative to batons and guns.
Yet all over the country, there are headlines that imply people are getting killed by Tasers.
Such as the "Man dies after police use Taser" story in Fort Worth, Texas. An autopsy found he died of
cocaine intoxication.
Such as an Enquirer headline from Union Township in Clermont County - "Man, 31, dies after Taser
shot" - followed a week later by "Cocaine, not Taser fatal, coroner rules."
A USA Today story exaggerated the amperage of a Taser by a factor of 1 million.
The anti-Taser crusade is mostly based on a story by the Arizona Republic, which found 'only three cases
in which Tasers were listed as a contributing cause of death, among 80 reports. That somehow became a
USA Today story about "more than 80 deaths" by Tasers.
"There are remarkably ignorant assertions of what the weapon does," Greenwood said. "These stories just
parrot the unfounded assertions by critics. The follow-up correction is never on Al above the fold."
Critics also fail to consider the deterrent effect. Trenton, Ohio, Police Chief Rodney Harrison says his
officers have gotten "immediate compliance" just by putting the red Taser laser on a suspect. "I anticipate
that the little red Taser dot will certainly curtail the use of force on many more suspects who in the past
have fought or failed to comply," he said.
Greenwood said, "I kn9w it has a deterrent effect because you can hear them at the Gail) talking about
how they don't want to 'ride the chair' or 'ride the buffalo,' which is what they call Tasers."
That's his message, too. The ACLU recently sponsored a contentious public hearing on Tasers, to tell
people how the weapon works, how to avoid it by complying with cops, and how it feels if you don't.
That's why Greenwood volunteered to be Tased by police trainers. "I needed to be able to describe that it's
a bad thing and it hurts."
"It's the worst possible feeling you can imagine. Time seems to slow down. You can't believe it's only
five seconds. It feels like a minute and all you can think of is please make it stop."
Here's another shock - I actually agree with the ACLU this time. Tasers work.
And Scott Greenwood has never been more of a stand-up guy than when he was knocked down
by a Taser.

·.

•

Wednesday, June 1, 2005

A jolt for those who object to TASERs
GORDON DILLOW
Register columnist
GLDillow@aol .com

The pol ice lise ofT ASER electric-shock guns \0 subdue da ngerous suspects has become a controve rsia l issue - in the news med ia

at least. BUI i f you're worr ied abo ut potential hea lth ri sks from ge tting shot by a T ASER, they' re actually pretty casy to avo id.
O ne excelle nt way to do that is to re frai n fro m getting sk ied up on powerfu l d ru gs and smashi ng a window to burglarize a home

and then try ing to fig ht it Qut wit h the cops.
What bri ngs this up is the death la tc last month of a guy named Richard Alvarado, 38, a chro nic crim ina l who reported ly was
spend ing a Sunday eveni ng cranked up on a "speedball " of hero in and coca ine. AI about 7 p. m., Alvarado apparently decided to
smash a bath room window and crawl inside an apart ment on Mitchell Stree t in Tustin to burglarize it. Fortunately, the elde rly
woman who lived there wasn' t home.
When Tustin police arrived on the scene they found Alvarado in the bathroom, bleedi ng profusely from cuts from the broken
wi ndow glass, appare nt ly under the inOuence of drugs and refusing to comply with orders to surrender.
The officers tried to physica lly restrain him, but he resisted. (Q uestion: '-low much wo uld they have to pay you or me to wrest le
with a blood·covered drug add ict on a carpet of broken glass?)
$0 fi nally one of the offi cers broke out a TASE R gun, which fi res battery-powc red electrode- tipped wires that del iver a 50,000vo lt jolt - wh ich so unds like it would fry a guy, but doesn't because the charge has ex treme ly low amperage. The jolt · which is
on ly a tiny, tiny fraction of what you'd get from, say, n heart de fibrillator - simply causes an instant five -second loss of the
·suspect's neuro muscular cont rol, whi ch allows offi cers to sla p the cuffs on him .
Which is what happened to Al va rado. He was TA SE Red, handcuffed and then he was consc ious and al ert for several minu tes - or
at least as alert as you can be when you're on heroin and cocai ne. Bu t as paramedics arri ved he stopped breathing and was later
pronounced dead at a hospita l.
But it almost certai nly wasn't the TASER that ki lled him. Pre liminary indicat ions are that Alva rado died of a drug overdose - and
eve n ifhe hadn't OD'd, he like ly wou ld have bled OU I from the cuts fro m the broken glass.
"He basica lly killed himsel f, " Tu stin po lice L I. Jim Peery told me.
Neverthe less, Alvarado's death will prov ide mo re fodde r for Amnesty International, the so-called human -rights group that says
103 peop le in the U.S. have died after being shot by police TASER guns si nce Jan uary 200 1. The group is campaign ing to ban
police use ofTASERs until the health eITeets have been further studied.
Even for Amnesty Inte rnatio nal, that's an incred ibly dumb idea.
Thi nk about it. Almost all of those peop le who died were hi gh on alcohol or drugs · whic h is ge nerally why a suspect needs a
TASER ing in the fi rst place. That was also the case in the on ly other fa lal TASE R-re lated inc ide nt in Orange County, that one
inVOlving a guy who was TASE Red by Brea police in 2003 while he was hig h on methamphe tam ine.
And even Am nesty International says on ly thaI those 103 people died after be in g TASERed, 110t necessarily as a direct result of
bei ng TASE Red. ln the vast majority of those cases, autopsies have shown Ihat the TA SER shot was not the cau se of death .
Me anwhil e, according to th e manufacture r, TASE R International, TAS ERs have been used on suspect s in the field some 71 ,000
times in the past fi ve years, alo ng with 100,000 "de monstrations" in po li ce tra ining a nd elsewhere, with no lasting ill eITeels.
Somehow, 100 deat hs out of 7 1,000 field uses hardly seems like a wave of death·after-TASER.
And what would ha ppen if TASE Rs were banned? Simple. A lot more cops would be inj urcd in physical fig ht s with suspects, and
a lot more suspects wo uld be inj ured by poli ce britons or wind lip getti ng lega lly shot by poli ce.
Consider, for example, what happe ned in Tustin last fa ll when a drug-crazed man who had altackcd his wife also att acked two
Tusti n cops who responded to Ihe call. The officers could have legally aced the guy - that is, shot him - but instead they used
batons, pepper spray and a TASER to control him . Thai guy probably lived because of a TASER - whe ther he dese rved to or not and the officers were awarded department Medals of Me rit fo r thei r sk ill and restrain t in the usc of force.
Of course, no one is suggesting th at co ps usc TASERs on jaywalkers or kids riding bikes wi thout helmets. And I'm certai nly not
saying that gelli ng TASE Red is fun.
"It's not pleasant," says TASER Internationa l spokesman Steve Tuttle, who has expericnced it in demo nstratio ns. "Bu t if I had a
choice between the TASER and getting shot or even hit with a baton, I'd take the TASER any day."
Exactly. So don't let Amnesty Inte rnat iona l foo l you. In almost ever)' case, TASERs don't t:tkc lil'cs.
T hcy S:I\'C them.
Gordon Di llow may be reached at (7 14) 796· 7953 or bye-mail at gldillowUi!:Iol.com. Orange County Register. California

Law Enforceme nt FAQ's

Page 1 of2

Home

Quick Li nks ·

COMPANY

I Videos I Whe re

to Buy

Search TASER com

PRODU CTS

RESEARCH

ADVANCED
SEARCH

TRAINING

SUPPORT

SHOP

TASElR
Home> Research> FAQ's > Law Enforcemen t FAQ's

Law Enforcement FAQ's

1, What are the advantages for deploying lASER EGOs?

Answer 1,
lhe advantages to lASER tech nology are dramatic reductions in injuries to both suspects and law enfo
with over 11 ,000 law enforcement agencies deploying lASER devices, we have begun a law enforceme
can temporarily incapacitate subjects from zero to 35 feet away. lhe advan tage we provide is that we c,
who can overcome pai n, might be on dangerous drugs like cocaine or meth or even emotionally disturbe
type rely upon pain compliance. The lASER system doesn't use pain compliance but immediately stops
the subject on ly wh ile the lASER syste m's cu rrent is flowing. Recovery is instantaneous, so the l ASE R
window of opportunity to temporaril y stop someone's dangerous actions. l AS ER technology isn't a mag
are an impressive 94 %.

2. What about officer accountability in deploying lASER EGOs ?
3. How many law enforcement agencies deploy lASER technology?
4. What is the use of force recommendation by lASER International?
5. What is lASER Inernati onal's stance on multiple lASER EGOs applications ?

hIt p://www. taser.com/research/Pag es/La w En fo rceme nt 10 AQs. aspx

7/3 1/2007

Law Enforcement FAQ's

Page 2 of2

Last Updated: 7/14/20072:22 PM

Home

I About TASER I Contact Us I

Press Room

I Investor Relations I

Legal

I Site Map I T.

http://www.taser.com!research/Pages/LawEnforcementFAQs.aspx

7/3112007

TASER® X3™, X26™, and M26™
ECD Warnings, Instructions, and
Information: Law Enforcement

IMPORTANT ECD PRODUCT SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
These safety warnings are for your protection as well as the safety of others. Disregarding this information
could result in death or serious injury.1
Complete Training First. Significant differences exist between each of the TASER International, Inc.
(“TASER”) Electronic Control Device (“ECD”) models. Do not Use2 or attempt to Use any ECD model unless
you have been trained and certified by a Certified TASER Instructor3 on that particular model.
Read and Obey. Read, study, understand, and follow all instructions, warnings, information, training bulletins
and TASER training materials4 before Using the ADVANCED TASER® M26™ ECD, TASER X3™ ECD, or
TASER X26™ ECD. Failure to comply with these instructions, warnings, information, training bulletins, and
TASER training materials could result in death or serious injury to the User, force recipient, and others.
Obey Applicable Laws. Use the ECD only in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and
other regulations or legal requirements. Your law enforcement agency’s Guidance5 must also be followed.6
Any Use of an ECD must be legally justifiable. Resistance to law enforcement interaction incurs substantial
risk of death or serious injury and subjects who resist law enforcement assume all such risks of death or
serious injury.

This warning label appears on newer ECD models.

These warnings are effective May 1, 2010, and supersede all prior revisions and relevant Training Bulletins.
The most current warnings are online at www.TASER.com.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE
This document presents important safety warnings, instructions, and information intended to reasonably
minimize hazards associated with ECD deployment, intended Use, side effects, and environment of Use.
Confronting, apprehending, capturing, controlling, restraining, incapacitating, taking persons into custody, and
maintaining custody are often high risk events that could result in death or serious injury.

These warnings are state of the art but cannot address all possible ECD application circumstances or permutations. They are intended
to inform Users about reasonably foreseeable potential risks of harm. The decision to Use the ECD in a particular manner or
circumstance must follow applicable legal standards. These warnings do not create a standard of care. Herein, the singular is also the
plural, the plural includes the singular, and the masculine is also the feminine.
2

The terms “Use,” “Used,” “Using,” or “User” include, but are not limited to: acquiring; accessing; entrusting; providing; possessing;
storing; handling; manipulating; carrying; holstering; drawing; brandishing; displaying; deploying; utilizing; drive-stunning; using alligator
or other types of clips or attachments; or discharging an ECD.

A Certified TASER Instructor possesses and maintains a current TASER instructor certification for the specific product model they are
teaching, demonstrating, or Using and is required to be fully compliant with TASER’s most current training requirements and materials.
4

Current TASER Instructor Training materials may be obtained by contacting TASER’s Training Department.

Law enforcement agencies are force and force tools experts and are solely responsible for their own Guidance. “Guidance” includes,
but is not limited to, policy, procedure, rule, order, directive, training, continuum, and standard. TASER has no power or authority to
mandate or require Guidance, set policy, require training, or establish standards of care or conduct.
6

Law enforcement agencies, government entities, and Users are sophisticated purchasers, sophisticated users, and learned
intermediaries with respect to law enforcement weapons (including ECDs), force, force use, legality of force use, and reporting.
May 1, 2010

Page: 1 of 6

CDPM, DPM, EPM, EVIDENCE.COM, M26, TASER CAM, TPM, X3, X26, XDPM, ‘Protect Truth,’ ‘Protect Life,’ and © are trademarks of TASER International, Inc., and TASER ® is a
registered trademark of TASER International, Inc., registered in the U.S. All rights reserved. © 2010 TASER International, Inc.

TASER® X3™, X26™, and M26™
ECD Warnings, Instructions, and
Information: Law Enforcement
When lawfully Used as directed, ECDs are designed in probe-deployment mode to temporarily incapacitate a
person from a safer distance than some other force options, while reducing the likelihood of death or serious
injury. Any use of force, physical exertion, capture, control, restraint, or incapacitation involves risks that a
person may get hurt or die.7
Within this document certain safety signals and signal words are used to call attention to safety messages:
The safety alert symbol is used to alert Users to potential injury hazards. ALWAYS Obey all safety
messages that follow this symbol to reasonably minimize the risk of death or serious injury when the ECD is
Used and to enhance safe operation of the ECD.
The signal word WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided or heeded,
could result in death or serious injury. It is intended to direct the User’s attention to hazards that may not be
obvious, but may be reasonably mitigated by heeding training and instructions, or avoiding certain actions,
circumstances, or behaviors, thereby improving the safety of the ECD. WARNINGS may be followed by
instructions and information integral to the WARNING.

SAFETY INFORMATION: ECD DEPLOYMENT AND USE
Minimize Repeated, Continuous, or Simultaneous8 Exposures. Reasonable efforts should be made to
minimize the number of ECD exposures. ECD Users should use the lowest number of ECD exposures that
are objectively reasonable to accomplish lawful objectives and should reassess the subject’s resistance level
before initiating or continuing the exposure.
Control and Restrain Immediately. Begin control and restraint procedures, including restraining the subject
during ECD exposure, as soon as reasonably safe and practical to do so in order to minimize total ECD
exposure. The ECD User, and those individuals assisting the User, should avoid touching the probes, wires,
and the area between the probes to avoid accidental or unintended shock during ECD electrical discharge.

Sensitive Body Part Hazard. When possible, avoid intentionally targeting the ECD on
sensitive areas of the body such as the head, throat, chest/breast, or known pre-existing
injury areas without legal justification. The preferred target areas are the lower center mass
(below chest) for front shots and below the neck area for back shots.

Perform Spark Test Prior to Each Shift. ECDs must be safely spark tested prior to each shift.

Avoid Misuse. Use an ECD only for its intended purpose, in legally justifiable situations, and in accordance
with User’s agency’s Guidance.

Never Confuse Handgun with ECD. Confusing a handgun with an ECD could result in death or serious
injury. ALWAYS follow your agency’s equipment carrying and holstering location Guidance and training
regarding distinguishing between handguns, other weapons, and ECDs.
7

“Almost every use of force, however minute, poses some risk of death.” Garrett v. Athens-Clarke County, 378 F.3d 1274, 1280, n.12
th
(11 Cir. 2004).
8

“Simultaneous” means delivery to the body of electrical charge by multiple ECDs or multiple completed circuits at the same time.

May 1, 2010

Page: 2 of 6

TASER® X3™, X26™, and M26™
ECD Warnings, Instructions, and
Information: Law Enforcement

Be Aware of Trigger-Held Continuous Discharge. If an ECD’s trigger is held back it can continue to
discharge beyond the 5-second cycle until the trigger is released or the power source is expended.

Be Aware That an ECD or Cartridge May Fail to Fire, Operate, or Be Effective. No weapons system, tool,
technique, or ECD is always effective. If an ECD, cartridge, or accessory is inoperable, fails to function, or
the intended ECD application is ineffective in achieving the desired effect, consider reloading and
redeploying, using other force options, disengaging, or using other alternatives according to agency
Guidance. The failure of the ECD to fire, operate, or be effective could result in death or serious injury.
Prepare to Redeploy ECD or Use Backup Plan. Always prepare to redeploy the ECD or Use a backup
plan. Be familiar with backup plans and acceptable alternatives in the event of ineffective deployment.

Incapacitation, Falling, and Startle Hazard. ECD Use may cause muscular contraction, Neuro Muscular
Incapacitation (“NMI”), startling, and falling, which could result in death or serious injury.
NMI and Secondary Injuries. An ECD may cause NMI if probes are within sufficient proximity to complete a
circuit, with sufficient spread, and an adequate circuit is completed and maintained rendering the subject
temporarily unable to control movement and may cause a fall. Also, ECD use may cause a startle response.
This loss of control or startle may increase risk of death or serious injury resulting from loss of balance, fall,
change in momentum, drowning, or loss of control of any mode of transportation, conveyance, or machinery.
Especially at risk is a person who:
• could fall and suffer impact injury to the head or other area;
• is on an elevated or unstable surface (e.g., tree, roof, ladder, ledge, balcony, porch, bridge, crane,
dock, chair, bunk bed, or stair);
• is less able to catch or protect self in a fall (e.g., restrained, handcuffed, incapacitated, or immobilized);
• could fall on a sharp object (e.g., holding a knife or other edged weapon or sharp object on ground);
• is running, in motion, or moving under momentum;
• is operating or riding in or on any mode of transportation (e.g., vehicle, bus, bicycle, motorcycle, cart,
train, or airplane), conveyance (e.g., escalator, moving walkway, elevator, skateboard, skates, or
rollerblades), or machinery;
• is located in water, mud, or marsh environment if the ability to move is restricted; or
• is physically infirm, elderly, or pregnant.

Eye Injury Hazard. If a TASER probe, electrode, or electrical discharge contacts or comes into close
proximity to an eye it could result in serious injury, including permanent vision loss. DO NOT intentionally aim
an ECD at the eye of a person or animal without justification.

LASER light could result in serious eye injury. The ECD uses a LASER as a targeting aid. Avoid
intentionally aiming the LASER at the eye of a person or animal without justification. NEVER aim the LASER
at aircraft.

Fire and Explosion Hazard. ECD Use could result in a fire or explosion when flammable gases, fumes,
vapors, liquids, or materials are present.
May 1, 2010

Page: 3 of 6

TASER® X3™, X26™, and M26™
ECD Warnings, Instructions, and
Information: Law Enforcement
An ECD can ignite explosive and flammable clothing or materials, liquids, fumes, gases, or vapors (e.g.,
gasoline, vapor or gas found in sewer lines or methamphetamine labs, butane-type lighters, or flammable hair
gels). Do not knowingly Use an ECD in the presence of any explosive or flammable substance without legal
justification. Note that some self-defense sprays use a flammable carrier, such as alcohol.

SAFETY INFORMATION: ECD KNOWN AND POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Always follow and comply with all instructions, warnings, information, and current TASER training materials to
reasonably minimize the risks associated with possible Use and side effects listed below.
Muscle Contraction or Strain-Related Injury. ECDs can cause strong or moderate muscle contractions
that may result in physical exertion, athletic, or sport-type injury, including, but not limited to, injury such as
hernia, rupture, dislocation, tear, or other injury to soft tissue, organ, muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve, bone,
or joint. Fracture to bone, including compression fracture to vertebrae, may occur. These injuries may be
more serious and more likely to occur in people with pre-existing injuries, conditions or special susceptibilities,
which include but are not limited to, known or unknown: pregnancy; osteopenia; osteoporosis; spinal injury; or
previous muscle, disc, ligament, joint, bone, or tendon damage or surgery. Such injuries may also occur
when a person reacts to the ECD deployment or discharge by making a rapid movement.
Physiologic or Metabolic Effects. The ECD can produce physiologic or metabolic effects which include, but
are not limited to, changes in: acidosis; adrenergic states; blood pressure; calcium, creatine kinase (“CK”);
electrolytes (including potassium), heart rate and rhythm; lactic acid; myoglobin; pH; respiration; stress
hormones or other biochemical neuromodulators (e.g., catecholamines). Reasonable effort should be made
to minimize the number of ECD exposures and resulting physiologic and metabolic effects. In human studies
of electrical discharge from a single ECD of up to 15 seconds, these effects on acidosis, CK, electrolytes,
stress hormones, and vital signs have been comparable to or less than changes expected from physical
exertion similar to struggling, resistance, fighting, fleeing, or from the application of some other force tools or
techniques. Adverse physiologic or metabolic effects may increase risk of death or serious injury.
Higher Risk Populations. ECD Use on a pregnant, infirm, elderly, small child, or low body-mass index (BMI)
person could increase the risk of death or serious injury. ECD Use has not been scientifically tested on these
populations. The ECD should not be Used on members of these populations unless the situation justifies
possible higher risk of death or serious injury.
Physiologically or Metabolically Compromised Persons. Law enforcement personnel are called upon to
deal with individuals in crises that are often physiologically or metabolically compromised and may be
susceptible to arrest-related death (“ARD”). The factors that may increase susceptibility for an ARD have not
been fully characterized but may include: a hypersympathetic state, autonomic dysregulation, capture
myopathy, hyperthermia, altered electrolytes, severe acidosis, cardiac arrest, drug or alcohol effects (toxic
withdrawal, sensitization to arrhythmias, etc), alterations in brain function (agitated or excited delirium),
cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, sickle cell disease, and other pathologic conditions. These risks may
exist prior to, during, or after law enforcement intervention or ECD Use, and the subject may already be at risk
of death or serious injury as a result of pre-existing conditions, individual susceptibility, or other factors. In a
physiologically or metabolically compromised person any physiologic or metabolic change may cause or
contribute to death or serious injury. Follow your agency’s Guidance when dealing with physiologically or
metabolically compromised persons.
Neurocardiogenic Response (Fainting). A person may experience an exaggerated response to an ECD
exposure, or threatened exposure, which may result in a person fainting or falling with possible secondary
injury.
Seizure. Repetitive stimuli (e.g., flashing light or electrical stimuli) can induce seizure in some people. This
risk may be increased in a person with a seizure history or if electrical stimuli pass through the head area.
This may also result in a person falling with a possible secondary injury.

May 1, 2010

Page: 4 of 6

TASER® X3™, X26™, and M26™
ECD Warnings, Instructions, and
Information: Law Enforcement
Stress and Pain. The ECD can cause temporary discomfort, pain, stress, panic, or startle which may be
injurious to some people. Anticipation of ECD exposure can cause stress, trepidation, panic, startle, or fear,
which may also be injurious to some people.

SAFETY INFORMATION: PROBE OR ELECTRODE INJURY OR INFECTION
Probe or Electrode Injury or Infection Hazard. ECD Use may cause a mark, burn, scar, penetration, other
skin, or tissue damage or infection. Provide First Aid and medical care as needed.
Scarring. Use of an ECD may cause irritation, puncture, mark, abrasion, rash, burn, keloid, or other scarring
that may be permanent. This risk may be increased when using the M26 or X26 ECD in drive-stun mode with
the cartridge removed or the X3 ECD in drive-stun mode due to the multiple sets of electrical contacts. The
nature and severity of these effects depends on the area of exposure and method of application, individual
susceptibility, and other circumstances surrounding ECD Use, exposure, and after care.
Penetration Injury. The TASER probe has a small dart point which may cause a penetration injury to a
blood vessel or internal organ (including lung, bone, or nerve). The probe or dart point (which may detach)
can also puncture or become embedded into a bone, organ, or tissue, which may require immediate medical
attention, surgical removal, or may result in scarring, infection, or other serious injury.
Penetration Injury Care. Injury due to penetration of the probe or dart point into a blood vessel, organ,
nerve, or bone may require medical attention. A probe, dart point, or barb embedded in a sensitive area such
as the eye, the genital area, breast, neck, throat, or vascular structure may cause serious injury and may
require special medical attention and further evaluation.
Probe Removal. Probe removal may cause injury. Leaving a probe in the body may result in pain or injury.
Follow your agency’s Guidance and biohazard protocols for probe removal. In the case of embedment, organ
or bone penetration, or probe, dart point, or barb detachment, immediate medical attention and possible
surgical removal may be required.
Skin, Wound, or Infection Treatment. ECD Use may cause a skin irritation, puncture wound, abrasion,
mark, rash, burn, keloid or other scar which may require medical attention and may be permanent. As with
any injury of this type, infection or tetanus and resulting complications may occur in some circumstances.
Biohazards. Utilize appropriate biohazard protocols and personal protective equipment including Body
Substance Isolation procedures, gloves, masks, and washing of hands and exposed areas as necessary.
Follow your agency’s Guidance and appropriate biohazard, waste, and evidence protocols when dealing with
biohazards.
Untethered Discharged Probe. In probe deployment, it is possible that a discharged probe that does not
impact a subject or target may become untethered from the wire and travel a significant distance. A loose,
untethered probe can cause serious injury.

SAFETY INFORMATION: GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Unintentional Deployment Hazard. Unintentional ECD activation could result in death or serious injury to
the User, force recipient, and others. Follow and comply with the following instructions to reduce the risk of
unintentional Use, deployment, or activation.
Store in a Secure Location. Store ECDs, cartridges, and accessories in secure locations inaccessible to
children and other unauthorized persons to prevent inappropriate Use, which may result in death or serious
injury to the User, other persons, or animals. ECDs and cartridges are weapons and are not toys.
Use of ECD Safety. Always place the ECD safety switch in the down (SAFE) position when not in Use.
Remember to place the ECD safety switch in the up (ARMED) position when you intend to Use the ECD.

May 1, 2010

Page: 5 of 6

TASER® X3™, X26™, and M26™
ECD Warnings, Instructions, and
Information: Law Enforcement
Assume ECD is Loaded. Always assume that an ECD is loaded and capable of discharging. To avoid
unexpected discharge, ensure that no live cartridge is in the ECD when inserting: a battery; CDPM™, DPM™,
EPM™, TPM™, or XDPM™ battery pack; TASER CAM™ recorder; or while performing spark tests (except
when spark testing the X3 ECD), maintenance, data downloading, or battery charging.
Be Aware of ECD Deployment Mode. Keep your finger off the trigger until it is legally justifiable to use the
ECD. Be aware of the deployment mode (manual or semi-automatic) set on the X3 ECD before discharging
that ECD.
Keep Body Parts away from Front of ECD or Cartridge. Keep your hands and body parts away from the
front of the ECD and cartridge, unless instructed otherwise. A discharging ECD or cartridge could result in
serious injury.
Avoid Static Electricity. Keep the cartridge away from sources of static electricity. Static electricity can
cause the ECD or X26 or M26 cartridge to discharge unexpectedly, which could result in serious injury.
Beware of Electronic Equipment Interference. Interference from electronic transmission equipment in
close proximity to the ECD could interfere with the proper operation of the ECD and cause the ECD to
discharge. Keep the ECD at least several inches away from other electronic equipment. Place the ECD
safety switch in the down (SAFE) position whenever it is immediately adjacent to electronic equipment
(including transmitting radios and cell phones). Remember to place the ECD safety switch in the up
(ARMED) position prior to attempting Use.
Avoid Dropping ECD or Cartridge. If an ECD or cartridge is dropped or damaged it may unintentionally
deploy or discharge, become inoperable, or fail to function, making it unsafe for continued use. If an ECD or
cartridge has been dropped or damaged, refer to the procedure recommended in the current version of the
TASER Instructor Training materials.

SAFETY INFORMATION: MAINTENANCE
Failure to maintain an ECD as instructed may cause the ECD to malfunction or fail to function optimally and
could result in death or serious injury. Follow and comply with the following instructions to reduce the risk of
ECD malfunction, including failure.
Damaged ECD or Cartridge. Do not use a cartridge with a missing blast door unless facing an immediate
threat. ECD repair or modification by an unauthorized person may cause the ECD to fire or malfunction, will
void the warranty, and may put the User or other person at risk of death or serious injury.
Update ECD Software. Some ECDs, including the TASER X26 and X3, have the capability for software
updating. It is important to acquire, update, and maintain the latest ECD software update. Current ECD
software may be obtained by contacting TASER’s Customer Service Department or following instructions at
the EVIDENCE.COM™ site.
Use Only TASER-Approved Components, Batteries, Accessories, and Cartridges. The ECD is a
sophisticated electronic system. In order to provide proper function, only TASER-approved components,
batteries, accessories, and cartridges are to be used with the ECD. Use of anything other than TASERapproved components, batteries, accessories, and cartridges will void the warranty, may cause malfunction,
and may put the User or other person at risk of death or serious injury.
Avoid Exposure to Wet Conditions. If the ECD is drenched or immersed in water or other liquid, DO NOT
Use the ECD until completing the procedure recommended in the current version of the TASER Instructor
Training materials.

SAFETY INFORMATION: HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Hazardous Substances. The ECD contains components that contain chemicals known to the State of
California and others to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Do not disassemble.
Refer to your agency’s Guidance for proper handling and disposal.
May 1, 2010

Page: 6 of 6

TASER® Shockwave™ ECD Warnings, Instructions, and Information
Law Enforcement
Important ECD Product Safety and Health Information
These safety warnings are for your protection as well as the safety of others. Disregarding this information could
1
result in death or serious injury.

WARNING
Complete Training First

Significant differences exist between each of the TASER International, Inc. (“TASER”) Electronic Control Device (“ECD”) models.
2
3
Do not Use or attempt to Use any ECD model unless you have been trained and certified by a Certified TASER Instructor on
that particular model.

Read and Obey

Read, study, understand, and follow all instructions, warnings, information, training bulletins and TASER training materials
before Using the TASER Shockwave ECD. Failure to comply with these instructions, warnings, information, training bulletins,
and TASER training materials could result in death or serious injury to the User, force recipient, and others.

Obey Applicable Laws

Use the ECD only in accordance with applicable federal, state, local laws and other regulations or legal requirements. Your
5
6
law enforcement agency’s Guidance must also be followed. Any Use of an ECD must be legally justifiable. Resistance to law
enforcement interaction incurs substantial risk of death or serious injury and subjects who resist law enforcement assume all
such risks of death or serious injury.

These warnings are effective October 20, 2009, and supersede all prior
revisions and relevant Training Bulletins. The most current warnings are
online at www.TASER.com.
This warning label appears on newer ECD models.

These warnings are state of the art but cannot address all possible ECD application circumstances or permutations. They are intended to inform Users about reasonably foreseeable potential risks of harm. The decision
to Use the ECD in a particular manner or circumstance must follow applicable legal standards. These warnings do not create a standard of care. Herein, the singular is also the plural, the plural includes the singular, and
the masculine is also the feminine.
2

The terms “Use,” “Used,” “Using,” or “User” include, but are not limited to: acquiring; accessing; entrusting; providing; possessing; storing; handling; manipulating; carrying; holstering; drawing; brandishing; displaying;
deploying; utilizing; drive-stunning; using alligator or other types of clips or attachments; or discharging an ECD.
3

A Certified TASER Instructor possesses and maintains a current TASER instructor certification for the specific product model they are teaching, demonstrating, or Using and is required to be fully compliant with TASER’s
most current training requirements and materials.
4

Current TASER Instructor Training materials may be obtained by contacting TASER’s Training Department.

Law enforcement agencies are force and force tools experts and are solely responsible for their own Guidance. “Guidance” includes, but is not limited to, policy, procedure, rule, order, directive, training, continuum, and
standard. TASER has no power or authority to mandate or require Guidance, set policy, or establish standards of care or conduct.
6

Law enforcement agencies, government entities, and Users are sophisticated purchasers, sophisticated users, and learned intermediaries with respect to law enforcement weapons (including ECDs), force, force use, legality
of force use, and reporting.

Scope and Purpose
This document presents important safety warnings, instructions, and information intended to reasonably
minimize hazards associated with ECD deployment, intended Use, side effects, and environment of Use.

1
MPC0063 Rev: F
Shockwave, SPM, XP25 and ø are trademarks of TASER International, Inc., and TASER® is a registered trademark of TASER International, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. All rights reserved. © 2009 TASER International, Inc.

Confronting, apprehending, capturing, controlling, restraining, incapacitating, and taking persons into custody
are high risk events that could result in death or serious injury.
When lawfully Used as directed, ECDs are designed in probe-deployment mode to temporarily incapacitate a
person from a safer distance than some other force options, while reducing the likelihood of death or serious
injury. Any use of force, physical exertion, capture, control, restraint, or incapacitation involves risks that a
7
person may get hurt or die.
Within this document certain safety signals and signal words are used to call attention to safety messages.
The safety alert symbol is used to alert Users to potential injury hazards. ALWAYS
Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to reasonably minimize the risk
of death or serious injury when the ECD is Used and to enhance safe operation
of the ECD.

WARNING

The signal word WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided
or heeded, could result in death or serious injury. It is intended to direct the User’s
attention to hazards that may not be obvious, but may be reasonably mitigated
by heeding training and instructions, or avoiding certain actions, circumstances,
or behaviors, thereby improving the safety of the ECD. WARNINGS may be
followed by instructions and information integral to the WARNING.

Safety Information: General Precautions

WARNING
Unintentional Deployment Hazard

Unintentional ECD activation could result in death or serious injury to the User, force recipient, and others. Follow and
comply with the following instructions to reduce the risk of unintentional Use, deployment, or activation.

Store In A Secure Location

Store ECDs, cartridges, and accessories in secure locations inaccessible to children and other unauthorized persons to prevent
inappropriate Use, which may result in death or serious injury to the User, other persons, or animals. ECDs, cartridges, and
accessories are not toys.

Use Of ECD Safety

Always place the ECD safety switch in the unarmed position when not in Use. Remember to place the ECD safety switch in the
armed position when you intend to Use the ECD.

Assume ECD Is Loaded

Always assume that an ECD is loaded and capable of discharging. To avoid unexpected discharge, ensure that no live cartridge
is in the ECD when inserting a battery or while performing spark tests, maintenance, or battery charging.
7

“Almost every use of force, however minute, poses some risk of death.” Garrett v. Athens-Clarke County, 378 F.3d 1274, 1280, n.12 (11th Cir. 2004).

Law Enforcement
MPC0063 Rev: F
Shockwave, SPM, XP25 and ø are trademarks of TASER International, Inc., and TASER® is a registered trademark of TASER International, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. All rights reserved. © 2009 TASER International, Inc.

Warnings

WARNING
Avoid Unintentional Activation

Keep finger off the red trigger button until it is legally justifiable to use the ECD. In the event of an accidental discharge,
moving the switch guard to the down (SAFE) position will immediately stop the discharge cycle.

Keep Body Parts Away From Front of ECD or Cartridge

Keep your hands and body parts away from the front of the ECD and cartridge, unless instructed otherwise. A discharging
ECD or cartridge could result in serious injury.

Avoid Static Electricity

Keep the cartridge away from sources of static electricity. Static electricity can cause the ECD or cartridge to discharge
unexpectedly, which could result in serious injury.

Beware of Electronic Equipment Interference

Interference from electronic transmission equipment in close proximity to the ECD could interfere with the proper operation
of the ECD and cause the ECD to discharge. Keep the ECD at least several inches away from other electronic equipment.
Place the ECD safety switch in the unarmed position whenever it is immediately adjacent to electronic equipment (including
transmitting radios and cell phones). Remember to place the ECD safety switch in the armed position prior to attempting
Use.

Avoid Dropping ECD or Cartridge

If an ECD or cartridge is dropped or damaged it may unintentionally deploy or discharge, become inoperable, or fail to
function, making it unsafe for continued use. If an ECD or cartridge has been dropped or damaged, refer to the procedure
recommended in the current version of the TASER Instructor Training materials.
Failure to maintain an ECD as instructed may cause the ECD to malfunction or fail to function optimally and could result in
death or serious injury. Follow and comply with the following instructions to reduce the risk of ECD malfunction, including
failure.

Damaged ECD or Cartridge

Do not use a cartridge with a missing blast door unless facing an immediate threat. ECD repair or modification by an
unauthorized person may cause the ECD to fire or malfunction, will void the warranty, and may put the User or other person
at risk of death or serious injury.

Use Only TASER-Approved Components, Batteries, Accessories, and Cartridges

The ECD is a sophisticated electronic system. In order to provide proper function, only TASER-approved components, batteries,
accessories, and cartridges are to be used with the ECD. Use of anything other than TASERapproved components, batteries,
accessories, and cartridges will void the warranty, may cause malfunction, and may put the User or other person at risk of
death or serious injury.

Avoid Exposure to Wet Conditions

If the ECD is drenched or immersed in water or other liquid, DO NOT Use the ECD until completing the procedure recommended
in the current version of the TASER Instructor Training materials.

Safety Information: ECD Deployment and Use

WARNING
Perform Spark Test Prior to Each Use
ECDs must be safely spark tested prior to each use.

Avoid Misuse

Use an ECD only for its intended purpose, in legally justifiable situations, and in accordance with User’s agency’s Guidance.

Law Enforcement

Warnings
MPC0063 Rev: F
Shockwave, SPM, XP25 and ø are trademarks of TASER International, Inc., and TASER® is a registered trademark of TASER International, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. All rights reserved. © 2009 TASER International, Inc.

Be Aware that an ECD or Cartridge may Fail to Fire, Operate, or be Effective

No weapons system, tool, technique, or ECD is always effective. If an ECD, cartridge, or accessory is inoperable, fails to function,
or the intended ECD application is ineffective in achieving the desired effect, consider reloading and redeploying, using other
force options, disengaging, or using other alternatives according to agency Guidance. The failure of the ECD to fire, operate,
or be effective could result in death or serious injury.

Prepare to Redeploy ECD or Use Backup Plan

Always prepare to redeploy the ECD or Use a backup plan. Be familiar with backup plans and acceptable alternatives in the
event of ineffective deployment.

Use only XP25™ TASER Cartridges

Only XP25 TASER cartridges should be used with the ECD.

Charge the Battery Before Use

The SPM must be charged prior to use. The switch guard must be in the down (SAFE) position when recharging the SPM.

Probe or Electrode Injury or Infection Hazard

ECD Use may cause a mark, burn, scar, penetration, other skin, or tissue damage or infection. Provide First Aid and medical
care as needed.

Scarring

Use of an ECD may cause irritation, puncture, mark, abrasion, rash, burn, keloid, or other scarring that may be permanent. The
nature and severity of these effects depends on the area of exposure and method of application, individual susceptibility, and
other circumstances surrounding ECD Use, exposure, and after care.

Penetration Injury

The TASER probe has a small dart point which may cause a penetration injury to blood vessel, or internal organ (including
lung, bone, or nerve). The probe or dart point (which may detach) can also puncture or become embedded into a bone,
organ, or tissue, which may require immediate medical attention, surgical removal, or may result in scarring, infection, or
other serious injury.

Penetration Injury Care

Injury due to penetration of the probe or dart point into a blood vessel, organ, nerve, or bone may require medical attention.
A probe, dart point, or barb embedded in a sensitive area such as the eye, the genital area, breast, neck, throat, or vascular
structure may cause serious injury and may require special medical attention and further evaluation.

Probe Removal

Probe removal may cause injury. Leaving a probe in the body may result in pain or injury. Follow your agency’s Guidance and
biohazard protocols for probe removal. In the case of embedment, organ or bone penetration, or probe, dart point, or barb
detachment, immediate medical attention and possible surgical removal may be required.

Skin, Wound, or Infection Treatment

ECD Use may cause a skin irritation, puncture wound, abrasion, mark, rash, burn, keloid or other scar which may require medical
attention and may be permanent. As with any injury of this type, infection or tetanus may occur in some circumstances.

Biohazards

Utilize appropriate biohazard protocols and personal protective equipment including Body Substance Isolation procedures,
gloves, masks, and washing of hands and exposed areas as necessary. Follow your agency’s Guidance and appropriate
biohazard, waste, and evidence protocols when dealing with biohazards.

Untethered Discharged Probe

In probe deployment, it is possible that a discharged probe that does not impact a subject or target may become untethered
from the wire and travel a significant distance. A loose, untethered probe can cause serious injury.

Eye Injury Hazard

If a TASER probe, electrode or electrical discharge contacts or comes into close proximity to an eye it could result in
serious injury, including permanent vision loss. DO NOT intentionally aim an ECD at the eye of a person or animal without
justification.

Warnings

Sensitive Body Part Hazard

When possible, avoid intentionally targeting the ECD on sensitive areas of the body such as the head, throat, chest/breast, or
known pre-existing injury areas without legal justification. The preferred target areas are the lower center mass (below chest)
for front shots and below the neck area for back shots.

Targeting

The ECD is not a precision aimed device. It is intended as a barrage fire, area denial system. The risk of hitting the head, face,
or throat is greater for persons 68 inches (172.2 centimeters (“cm”)) tall or shorter at distances approaching 25 feet (7.62
meters (“m”)).

Minimize Repeated, Continuous, or Simultaneous8 Exposures

Reasonable efforts should be made to minimize the number of ECD exposures. There is an increased risk of probe hits from
multiple cartridges to a target at distances less than 7 feet (2.1 m) from the ECD or when multiple ECDs are deployed. ECD
Users should use the lowest number of ECD exposures that are objectively reasonable to accomplish lawful objectives and
should reassess the subject’s resistance level before initiating or continuing the exposure.

Control and Restrain Immediately

Begin control and restraint procedures, including restraining the subject during ECD exposure, as soon as reasonably safe
and practical to do so in order to minimize total ECD exposure. The ECD User, and those individuals assisting the User, should
avoid touching the probes, wires, and the area between the probes to avoid accidental or unintended shock during ECD
electrical discharge.

Incapacitation, Falling, and Startle Hazard

ECD Use may cause muscular contraction, Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (“NMI”), startling, and falling, which could result in
death or serious injury.

NMI and Secondary Injuries

An ECD may cause NMI if probes are within sufficient proximity to complete a circuit, with sufficient spread, and an adequate
circuit is completed and maintained rendering the subject temporarily unable to control movement and may cause a fall.
Also, ECD use may cause a startle response. This loss of control or startle may increase risk of death or serious injury resulting
from loss of balance, fall, change in momentum, drowning, or loss of control of any mode of transportation, conveyance, or
machinery. Especially at risk is a person who:
• could fall and suffer impact injury to the head or other sensitive area;
• is on an elevated or unstable surface (e.g., tree, roof, ladder, ledge, balcony, porch, bridge, crane, dock, chair, bunk bed, or stair);
• is less able to catch or protect self in a fall (e.g., restrained, handcuffed, incapacitated, or immobilized);
• could fall on a sharp object (e.g., holding a knife or other edged weapon or sharp object on ground);
• is running, in motion, or moving under momentum;
• is operating or riding in or on any mode of transportation (e.g., vehicle, bus, bicycle, motorcycle, cart, train, or airplane),
conveyance (e.g., escalator, moving walkway, elevator, skateboard, skates, or rollerblades), or machinery;
• is located in water, mud, or marsh environment if the ability to move is restricted; or
• is physically infirm, elderly, or pregnant.

Fire and Explosion Hazard

ECD Use could result in a fire or explosion when flammable gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or materials are present. An ECD
can ignite explosive and flammable clothing or materials, liquids, fumes, gases, or vapors (e.g., gasoline, vapor or gas found
in sewer lines or methamphetamine labs, butane-type lighters, or flammable hair gels). Do not knowingly Use an ECD in
the presence of any explosive or flammable substance without legal justification. Note that some self-defense sprays use a
flammable carrier, such as alcohol.

“Simultaneous” means delivery to the body of electrical charge by multiple ECDs or multiple completed circuits at the same time.

Law Enforcement

Safety Information: ECD Known and Potential Side Effects

WARNING
Always follow and comply with all instructions, warnings, information, and current TASER training materials to reasonably
minimize the risks associated with possible Use and side effects listed below.

Muscle Contraction or Strain-Related Injury

ECDs can cause strong or moderate muscle contractions that may result in physical exertion, athletic, or sport-type injury,
including, but not limited to, injury such as hernia, rupture, dislocation, tear, or other injury to soft tissue, organ, muscle,
tendon, ligament, nerve, bone, or joint. Fracture to bone, including compression fracture to vertebrae, may occur. These
injuries may be more serious and more likely to occur in people with pre-existing injuries, conditions or special susceptibilities,
which include but are not limited to, known or unknown: pregnancy; osteopenia; osteoporosis; spinal injury; or previous
muscle, disc, ligament, joint, bone, or tendon damage or surgery. Such injuries may also occur when a person reacts to the
ECD deployment or discharge by making a rapid movement.

Neurocardiogenic Response (Fainting)

A person may experience an exaggerated response to an ECD exposure, or threatened exposure, which may result in a person
fainting or falling with possible secondary injury.

Seizure

Repetitive stimuli (e.g., flashing light or electrical stimuli) can induce seizure in some people. This risk may be increased in a
person with seizure history or if electrical stimuli pass through the head area. This may also result in a person falling with a
possible secondary injury.

Stress and Pain

The ECD can cause temporary discomfort, pain, stress, panic, or startle which may be injurious to some people. Anticipation
of ECD exposure can cause stress, trepidation, panic, startle, or fear, which may also be injurious to some people.

Physiologic or Metabolic Effects

The ECD can produce physiologic or metabolic effects which include, but are not limited to, changes in: acidosis; adrenergic
states; blood pressure; calcium, creatine kinase (“CK”); electrolytes (including potassium), heart rate and rhythm; lactic acid;
myoglobin; pH; respiration; stress hormones or other biochemical neuromodulators (e.g., catecholamines). Reasonable effort
should be made to minimize the number of ECD exposures and resulting physiologic and metabolic effects. In human studies
of electrical discharge from a single ECD of up to 15 seconds, these effects on acidosis, CK, electrolytes, stress hormones, and
vital signs have been comparable to or less than changes expected from physical exertion similar to struggling, resistance,
fighting, fleeing, or from the application of some other force tools or techniques. Adverse physiologic or metabolic effects
may increase risk of death or serious injury.

Higher Risk Populations

ECD Use on a pregnant, infirm, elderly, small child, or low body-mass index (BMI) person could increase the risk of death or
serious injury. ECD Use has not been scientifically tested on these populations. The ECD should not be Used on members of
these populations unless the situation justifies possible higher risk of death or serious injury.

Physiologically or Metabolically Compromised Persons

Law enforcement personnel are called upon to deal with individuals in crises who are often physiologically or metabolically
compromised and may be susceptible to arrest-related death (“ARD”). The factors that may increase susceptibility for an ARD
have not been fully characterized but may include: a hypersympathetic state, autonomic dysregulation, capture myopathy,
hyperthermia, altered electrolytes, severe acidosis, cardiac arrest, drug or alcohol effects (toxic withdrawal, sensitization to
arrhythmias, etc), alterations in brain function (agitated or excited delirium), cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, sickle cell
disease, and other pathologic conditions. These risks may exist prior to, during, or after law enforcement intervention or
ECD Use, and the subject may already be at risk of death or serious injury as a result of pre-existing conditions, individual
susceptibility, or other factors. In a physiologically or metabolically compromised person any physiologic or metabolic
change may cause or contribute to death or serious injury. Follow your agency’s Guidance when dealing with physiologically
or metabolically compromised persons.

Hazardous Substances

The ECD contains components that contain chemicals known to the State of California and others to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Do not disassemble. Refer to your agency’s Guidance for proper handling and disposal.

Warnings

CRITICAL WARNINGS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•

NEVER POINT THE AIR TASER® AT ANOTHER PERSON UNLESS IN
SELF-DEFENSE. THE AIR TASER PERFORMS BEST FROM 7-10 FT.
NEVER AIM THE AIR TASER AT THE EYES OR FACE.
KEEP THE AIR TASER OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
ALWAYS REPLACE LOW BATTERIES.
DO NOT GIVE THE AIR TASER AWAY AS A GIFT OR SELL WITHOUT
FILLING IN REGISTRATION CARD OR TRANSFER CARD.
SET THE UNIT DOWN GENTLY; AVOID DROPPING UNIT.
ONLY SET DOWN THE AIR TASER TO RUN IF THE ASSAILANT IS ON
THE GROUND BEING TASERED; OTHERWISE KEEP THE UNIT IN
HAND TO USE AS A STUN GUN IF NECESSARY.
KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE UNIT AT ALL TIMES
UNLESS THE SAFETY SLIDE IS FORWARD AND THE AIR TASER IS
DEACTIVATED.
ALWAYS HOLD THE AIR TASER WITH THE LINE OF SIGHT
INDICATOR LEVEL; NEVER TILT THE AIR TASER WHEN FIRING.
IF GOING ON AN AIRPLANE, YOU MUST PUT THE AIR TASER IN
YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE, IT CANNOT BE CARRIED ON BOARD.
ALWAYS REPLACE AIR CARTRIDGES BY THE EXPIRATION DATE
PRINTED ON EACH AIR CARTRIDGE.
DO NOT FIRE THE AIR TASER NEAR FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND
FUMES.
THE AIR TASER CAN IGNITE GASOLINE OR OTHER
FLAMMABLES. SOME SELF-DEFENSE SPRAYS ARE FLAMMABLE
AND WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO USE IN
CONJUNCTION WITH AIR TASER.
THE AIR TASER CAUSES TEMPORARY PARALYSIS. THIS PARALYSIS
CAN BE DANGEROUS AND EVEN FATAL UNDER SPECIFIC
CIRCUMSTANCES.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE TASERED IN A
SWIMMING POOL WOULD PROBABLY DROWN AS THEY COULD NOT
SWIM OR SUPPORT THEMSELVES. DUE TO POTENTIAL DANGERS,
ONLY USE THE AIR TASER WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO
PROTECT YOUR LIFE.
ALWAYS MAKE CERTAIN YOUR SAFETY SLIDE IS IN THE FORWARD,
LOCKED POSITION WHENEVER YOUR AIR TASER IS LOADED AND
NOT INTENDED FOR IMMEDIATE USE.
WHEN CARRYING THE AIR TASER, STORE IT IN AN ENCLOSED
CONTAINER FREE FROM OTHER ITEMS WHICH MAY INTERFERE
WITH OR UNLOCK THE SAFETY SLIDE.
DO NOT CARRY THE AIR TASER IN A POCKET WITHOUT A SAFETY
COVER TO PREVENT THE INADVERDENT UNLOCKING OF THE
SAFETY SLIDE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CARRY THE AIR
TASER ONLY IN A CERTIFIED HOLSTER OR CARRYING CASE.

CONTACT THE
ACCESSORIES.

COMPANY

FOR

DETAILS

HOLSTERING

WARNING
50,000 Volts
Be advised that the
M26 Advanced TASER
may be used on persons
displaying
COMBATIVE
or RESISTANT
behavior in the High Level
Detachment Cellblock.

Instructor and User Warnings, Risks,
Liability Release and Covenant Not to Sue
TASER International, Inc. does not require a TASER device
electrical discharge (“TASER Exposure”) as a condition for
instructor or user TASER certification. It is up to each law
enforcement agency’s policy to determine whether its instructors
and users experience a TASER device exposure as part of their
training.
If you volunteer to experience a TASER Exposure, you must read
and sign this Form prior to any TASER Exposure.
WARNINGS AND RISKS
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
Read, understand, and follow the training, safety instructions, and
warnings before experiencing a TASER Exposure. (These warnings are
effective March 1, 2007, and supersede all prior revisions for TASER
devices.)

TASER® electronic control devices are weapons designed to
incapacitate a person from a safe distance while reducing the likelihood
of serious injuries or death. Though they have been found to be a safer
and more effective alternative when used as directed to other traditional
use of force tools and techniques, it is important to remember that the
very nature of use of force and physical incapacitation involves a degree
of risk that someone will get hurt or may even be killed due to physical
exertion, unforeseen circumstances and individual susceptibilities.
All volunteer exposures shall be performed by a TASER certified
instructor.
Spotters. All persons taking a TASER Exposure shall be supported by
spotters so they don’t fall. Each spotter should hold an upper arm under
the armpit, so that the person can be safely supported and lowered to the
ground after being hit without twisting or putting undue stress on the arm
or shoulder. If probes are fired in lieu of attaching spent wires or alligator
clips, then eye protection is required for both the spotter and the student
being exposed. Provided that no probes are attached to the person’s
arms, there should be no electrical pulses flowing into the spotters and
they can safely support the person being shot without any negative
impact.
No Minors. Because of parental/guardian consent issues, no minor shall
be exposed to a TASER device as part of a training course.
Keep Body Parts Away From Front. Keep your hands and body parts
away from the front of the TASER cartridge.
Avoid Static Electricity Discharge. Avoid contact between static
electricity and the TASER cartridge since static electricity can cause
unexpected discharge.
Deployment Safety Procedures
Avoid Sensitive Areas. Significant injury can occur from TASER device
deployment into sensitive areas of the body such as the eyes, throat, or
genitals—avoid intentionally targeting these areas without justification.

Avoid Known Pre-Existing Injury Areas. When practical, avoid
deploying a TASER device at a known location of pre-existing injury
(e.g., avoid targeting the back for persons with known pre-existing back
injuries, avoid targeting the chest area on persons with a known history
of previous heart attacks, etc.). These injuries may be provoked by such
deployment.
Beware—TASER Device Can Ignite Explosive Materials, Liquids, or
Vapors. These include gasoline, other flammables, explosive materials,
liquids, or vapors (e.g., gases found in sewer lines, methamphetamine
labs, and butane-type lighters). Some self-defense sprays use flammable
carriers such as alcohol and could be dangerous to use in immediate
conjunction with TASER devices.
Deployment Health Risks
Continuous Exposure Risks. When practical, avoid prolonged or
continuous exposure(s) to the TASER device's electrical discharge. In
some circumstances, in susceptible people, it is conceivable that the
stress and exertion of extensive repeated, prolonged, or continuous
application(s) of the TASER device may contribute to cumulative
exhaustion, stress, and associated medical risk(s).
Other Conditions. Unrelated to TASER exposure, conditions such as
excited delirium, severe exhaustion, drug intoxication or chronic drug
abuse, and/or over-exertion from physical struggle may result in serious
injury or death.
Breathing Impairment. Extended or repeated TASER device exposures
should be avoided where practical. Although existing studies on
conscious human volunteers indicate subjects continue to breathe during
extended TASER device applications, it is conceivable that the muscle
contractions may impair a subject's ability to breathe. In tests conducted
on anesthetized pigs repeated TASER device applications did cause
cessation of breathing during TASER device discharges, although it is
unclear what impact the anesthesia or other factors may have had on the
test results. Accordingly, it is advisable to use expedient physical
restraint in conjunction with the TASER device to minimize the overall
duration of stress, exertion, and potential breathing impairment
particularly on individuals exhibiting symptoms of excited delirium and/or
exhaustion. However, it should be noted that certain subjects in a state of
excited delirium may exhibit superhuman strength and despite efforts for
expedient restraint, these subjects sometimes cannot be restrained
without a significant and profound struggle.
Vagal Response. Some individuals may experience an exaggerated
response to a TASER device exposure, or threatened TASER device
exposure, which may result in a person fainting.
Permanent Vision Loss. If a TASER probe becomes embedded in an
eye, it could result in permanent loss of vision.
Seizure Risks. Repetitive stimuli such as flashing lights or electrical
stimuli can induce seizures in some individuals. This risk is heightened if
electrical stimuli or current passes through the head region.
Post-Deployment Procedures—Wound and Injury Care
Probe Removal. In most areas of the body, injuries or wounds caused
by TASER probes will be minor. TASER probes have small barbs. There
is a possible risk of probes causing injury to blood vessels. Follow your
training and agency’s guidance for probe removal.

© 2004-2007 TASER International, Inc. TASER®, Shaped Pulse™ and the Globe & Lightning Bolt Logo are trademarks of TASER International, Inc.
LG-FORM-INSTRUCT-002 Rev: E

March 1, 2007

Page 1 of 2

Instructor and User Warnings, Risks,
Liability Release and Covenant Not to Sue
Skin Wound Treatment. TASER devices can cause skin irritation, small
puncture wounds, friction abrasions, minor burns, etc. As with any injury of
this type, in some circumstances infection(s) may occur. Thus, appropriately
cleanse any such wounds and if necessary seek medical attention.
HEALTH RISKS
Response to Exposure. The TASER device can cause temporary
discomfort, pain, stress, and panic, which may be injurious to some people.
Muscle Contraction-Related Risks. The TASER device can cause strong
muscle contractions that may result in physical exertion or athletic-type
injuries. In certain instances this may be serious for some people, such as
those with pre-existing conditions and/or special susceptibilities. This may
also occur in instances where a person has an unusual and/or unanticipated
response to the TASER device deployment and/or discharge.
Secondary Injury Risks. TASER-induced strong muscle contractions
usually render a subject temporarily unable to control his or her psychomotor
movements. This may result in secondary injuries such as those due to falls.
This loss of control, or inability to catch oneself, can in special circumstances
increase the risk(s) of serious injury or death. Persons who are physically
infirm or pregnant are among those who may be at higher risk. Also, persons
who could fall on a sharp object (such as persons holding a knife or other
edged weapon) or suffer impact injuries to their head or other sensitive area
in a fall could also be at a higher risk. Other persons at higher risk include:
those located on elevated or unstable platforms (e.g., trees, roofs, ladders,
ledges, cranes, loading docks), operating a vehicle or machinery, or those
who are running. Persons located in water may drown if their ability to move
is restricted.
Strain Injury Risks. It is possible that the injury types may include, but are
not limited to, strain-type injuries such as hernias, ruptures, dislocations,
tears, or other injuries to soft tissue, organs, muscles, tendons, ligaments,
nerves, and joints. Fractures to bones, including vertebrae, may occur.
These injuries may be more likely to occur in people with pre-existing injuries
or conditions such as pregnancy, osteoporosis, osteopenia, spinal injuries,
diverticulitis, or in persons having previous muscle, disc, ligament, joint, or
tendon damage. It is believed that the risk of these injuries is comparable to
or less than the risk(s) from vigorous physical exertion, such as weight
training, wrestling, or other intense athletic endeavors.
Scarring. Use of a TASER device, especially in drive (or touch) stun mode,
can cause marks, friction abrasions, and/or scarring that may be permanent
depending on individual susceptibilities or circumstances surrounding
TASER device use and exposure.
Laser Beam Eye Damage. The TASER device incorporates a laser aiming
aid. Laser beams can cause eye damage. Avoid intentionally aiming at the
eye(s) of a person or animal.
If you have a condition or pre-existing injury that would be aggravated by
muscle contractions and physical exertion check the appropriate box below
and notify the instructor prior to participating in the TASER device exposure.