Posted by Hilary Gibeaut
Guest Blogger – Paul Hughes, TASER International Director of Corrections, Parole, and Private Security
- Wackenhut guard armed with TASER device
The 2009 ASIS conference held in southern California for the professional security industry kicked off this week with a press conference held by Rick Smith, CEO and Founder of TASER International, announcing the debut partner of our “TASER Certified” program. The president of the world’s largest security firm, Wackenhut/G4S, joined Rick in explaining the value of the designation to the corporate community. Uniformed security officers of Wackenhut displayed their TASER® X26™ devices proudly on their belts after having volunteered to experience its effect the night before.
Key issues such as executive protection, plant security, and responses to workplace violence are better served by security companies with the TASER Certified status because they subscribe to a time-tested training curriculum, expert deployment support, and the assurance that the supplier – TASER International – will extend its legal dominance to the civilian community if needed.
When walking the massive 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the extensive and elaborate booth displays from vendors offering video technologies, security services, and a variety of high-end detection equipment. The TASER booth was one of the largest in recent years and was packed with new technologies now available to professional security firms and corporate security teams. We’ve met with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, fertilizer plant operators, hospital staff, military branches, and security firms from dozens of foreign countries; the furthest hailed from Nigeria. TASER International has clearly been embraced by the security industry and we stand ready to serve…again.
Posted by Hilary Gibeaut
Sheriff Scott receives one of the departments X3 devices from Tom Smith
Exciting news today out of Ft. Meyers, Florida. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office became the first agency to receive their order for the new multi-shot TASER® X3™, the latest in handheld electronic control device (ECD) technology.
TASER chairman and co-founder, Tom Smith, was on hand today at a press event in Ft. Meyers to personally deliver the first five X3 ECDs sold to Sheriff Mike Scott in front of a packed room of media and curious onlookers.
We’ve told you a lot about the X3 here, beginning with the teaser campaign, through the unveiling at the July TASER Conference, the designated Facebook persona page, and now the first sale. It’s always exciting to see hard work and innovation pay off.
The sale is a result of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office being able to test and evaluate the X3. They quickly considered it an important asset for use in their law enforcement and correctional settings.
We congratulate the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on being a leader in law enforcement technology. We look forward to more law enforcement agencies joining their ranks soon!
Read about today’s press event in the:
WINK News here
News-Press here
Naples News here
Phoenix Business Journal here
Posted by Hilary Gibeaut
The Herald-Sun in Durham, North Carolina, recently ran an article on personal safety which highlighted sales of our civilian model TASER® C2™ being on the rise nearly “fivefold” in the past year at one distributor.
David Finley, founder and CEO of World Net Enterprises, said he is selling approximately 150 C2 units to the public each month, compared to the 30 to 40 typically sold last year at this same time. He also mentioned that nearly as many women as men are buying TASER electronic control devices.
“Many customers are often desperate, saying ‘I need protection for my family,’” said Finley.
Frequent TASER Blog readers will recall we announced last week a limited-time C2 promotion for our readers. Through this special offer, you’ll receive two free cartridges and a practice target with your purchase of a C2 — approximately $50.00 of added value.
More people — like in North Carolina — are choosing a C2 for personal safety. The current promotion is a good reason for more people to consider the C2 as well.