How does a TASER work? It’s surprising that with 97% brand name recognition that very few people understand how a TASER® electronic control device (ECD) works. We want to recognize Ocean City, Edina & Burnsville police departments for their proactive approach toward informing their communities about their TASER technology programs. All of these law enforcement agencies produced videos for their YouTube channels & Ocean City went beyond just a video by holding a public forum.
We salute these agencies’ proactive measures informing their communities & providing the media information about the technology that isn’t always understood. Providing this input educates communitities that often operate in a vacuum regarding ECDs & our on-officer cameras. Any vacuum on TASER technology creates false perceptions that can be reality. The proactive efforts by these agencies have resulted in many posititive stories as well as filled the vacuum with facts & science.
Law enforcement explains how a TASER technology works:
Ocean City Police Begin TASER Implementation – Ocean City PD, MD recently purchased TASER X2s for their officers. Chief Bernadette DiPino. “We believe that having the availability of a TASER will not only reduce injuries of our officers and suspects, but will deter & reduce violent crime in Ocean City. This is a proactive & positive step in the evolution of our police department & we are thankful to have the opportunity & the support from the Ocean City community.”
Beyond the Badge – January 2012 – Edina PD, MN “How’s it work?” segment featured TASER ECDs. Officer Kevin Rofidal demos the TASER X26.
Burnsville PD Uses On-Officer Camera Technology - Chief Bob Hawkins discusses their TASER AXON program & shows actual in-field footage. Some officers explain their experiences using AXON & the benefits of video evidence. One officer even explains how the video was used to aid the fire department too.
With the rising numbers of Americans owning smart phones, it’s more likely that someone will capture video of an incident involving police. Often these police video recordings don’t start at the initial contact police have with people but instead after the incident has escalated into something more critical. Inevitably, these videos end up on YouTube & the evening news with the public then questioning police tactics. The public expects transparency & accountability from law enforcement. So isn’t it a reasonable (outstanding) idea to put cameras on officers?
Video technology is an established tool for law enforcement. Dash cams & surveillance cameras have been readily accepted by both law enforcement & the public. The value of video evidence is not questioned. Video is an unbiased view of actual events. The logical evolution of dash cams & TASER CAMs is on-officer cameras so law enforcement can begin video documentation of incidents from beginning to end. This not only protects officers from unwarranted complaints but also protects the community from police brutality. It’s a no-brainer, on-officer cameras are the future of law enforcement.