Colorado Springs Police Orders 525 TASER X2 ECDs

Posted on Jul 26, 2012 by

New TASER Protection Plan Catalyst for Upgrade

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 26, 2012 − TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) today announced a significant order for 525 TASER® X2™ electronic control devices (ECD) by the Colorado Springs Police Department (CO) using the new TASER Protection Plan. This is a full deployment of X2s for all of its patrol officers.

“This is one of the largest TASER X2 orders to date and represents the continuation of increased X2 adoption,” said Rick Smith, Chief Executive Officer and founder of TASER International.  “We are thrilled with the decision by the Colorado Springs Police to enhance the safety of both their officers and their community with a full deployment of X2s.”

“Moreover, we are excited to announce that Colorado Springs is our first participant in the TASER Protection Plan (TPP),” said Dan Behrendt, Chief Financial Officer of TASER International.  “The TPP allows agencies like Colorado Springs to go full deployment, with full protection over the program’s service life, while making five low annual payments.  The TPP reinforces TASER’s commitment to helping agencies upgrade outdated technology while staying within limited capital budgets.”

Curt DeCapite, Procurement Service Manager for the City of Colorado Springs Contracting Division, summarizes the overall sentiment best, “We continually assess the most fiscally advantageous solutions and solid business decisions when determining best value in our acquisitions.”

“When we were micro-testing the TASER Protection Plan over the past 45 days, we saw a tremendously positive reaction,” said Smith.  “Our customers jumped at the ability to reduce the upfront cost to upgrade their technology and have a predictable payment plan that spreads the expense over time.  Given the very positive market response with several additional agencies moving towards purchasing, we will roll out the TPP nationally mid-August,” concluded Smith.

This order was received and expected to ship in the third quarter of 2012.

About TASER Protection Plan

The TASER Protection Plan is a new financing program that allows agencies to conserve capital, build predictability into their budgets, and most importantly lock in savings.  To learn more please visit: www.TASER.com/TPP.  Participation is subject to approval and completion of financing.

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Category: TASER X2
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Dr. Douglas Zipes’ Article Published in the American Heart Association’s “Circulation” Journal & TASER Safety

Posted on May 3, 2012 by

BACKGROUND:

Dr. Douglas Zipes recently had a case series publish in one of the American Heart Association’s journals called, Circulation. 

Zipes’ article is not a position paper by the American Heart Association.  A case study or even a case series should report interesting associations and novel curiosities of medicine based on uncontrolled and anecdotal observations.  His article provides observational data from a series of 8 cases provided to him in his disclosed role as a plaintiff’s expert during litigation of these cases.  He does not conclude that these cases reveal a fundamental flaw in the design of the devices.

STATEMENT:

  • “The article is clearly self-serving as Dr. Zipes’ primary interest in this area is being a plaintiff’s expert witness who has been paid $1,200 per hour – more than $500,000 total to testify against police and TASER.”
  • “One example of Dr Zipes’ bias is his omission of important facts that contradict his agenda.  For example in his case #4, video clearly showed that the officer missed the subject.  Scanning electron microscopy of the probes also confirmed that no current was delivered through the wires to the subject.  There are key facts that contradict the role of the TASER device in all of these cited cases, and Dr. Zipes has conveniently omitted all facts that contradict his opinion, but this case most clearly demonstrates his lack of objectivity and scientific rigor.”
  • “There have been 3 million uses of TASER device worldwide with this case series reporting 8 of concern.  This article does not support a cause-effect association & fails to accurately evaluate the risks versus the benefits of the thousands of lives saved by police with TASER devices.”

TASER SAFETY: 

The American Medical Association issued a White (Position) Paper on TASER safety in June 2009 that states:

  • “Most studies undertaken by law enforcement agencies (and others) indicate that deploying CEDs relative to other use-of-force options, such as pepper spray, physical force, police dogs, and batons, reduces injuries to officers and suspects and reduces the use of lethal force.”
  • “Furthermore, no evidence of dysrhythmia or myocardial ischemia is apparent, even when the barbs are positioned on the thorax and cardiac apex.”

Clearly Dr. Zipes has a strong financial incentive based on his career as an expert witness, which might help explain why he disagrees with the findings of independent medical examiners with no pecuniary interest in these cases as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s independent study that concluded: 

  • “There is currently no medical evidence that CEDs pose a significant risk for induced cardiac dysrhythmia in humans when deployed reasonably.”
  •  “The risks of cardiac arrhythmias or death remain low and make CEDs more favorable than other weapons.”

There are critical statements in this three-year study called, Study of Deaths Following Electro Muscular Disruption, in which a panel of experts examined why individuals died after exposure to a TASER device (aka CED) during encounters with law enforcement.  The panel, selected in collaboration with the College of American Pathologists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Association of Medical Examiners, reviewed nearly 300 cases to determine whether CEDs contributed to or were the primary cause of death.

The panel found that while in some cases the possibility that the direct effects of a CED can be lethal cannot be excluded, the risk of death due to the electrical effects of a CED has not been conclusively demonstrated and that caution should be used when interpreting the inclusion of a CED on a death certificate or the classification of the manner of death as a homicide as an absolute indictment of the CED as the sole or primary reason for the death.

The panel found that from a medical perspective, law enforcement need not refrain from using CEDs, provided the devices are used in accordance with accepted national guidelines and appropriate policy.  The use of a CED on potentially at-risk individuals should be minimized or avoided unless the situation excludes other reasonable options.  It is critical to minimize or avoid multiple or prolonged activations of CEDs to subdue an individual.  However, there may be circumstances where this is required.

The panel members included a cardiologist, an emergency medicine doctor, five medical examiners, and a toxicologist. Consulting specialists were available to the panel as needed and included an anesthesiologist, clinical pathologist, epidemiologist, electrical engineer, neurologist, and psychiatrist.

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Category: Research & Safety
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Charlotte, NC and the So Called TASER Death Count Issues

Posted on Jul 23, 2011 by

Many years ago, a national news organization called me the “king of hyperbole.”  In reading this week a couple of accounts in the Charlotte Observer, I cannot help but think that I may have lost the crown.

“Police shelve Tasers for now after another suspect dies” declared one headline.  “Steve Tuttle… scoffed at such a number (of deaths)” claimed the editorial, “Tasers may have their place, but assess risk.”

“Shelve”?  “Scoffed”?  Hyperbole?

Shelving implies discontinuation of a program; but in reality, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD is temporarily suspending the use of their TASER electronic control devices (ECDs) so they can test the units & review policies.  This is a pragmatic, responsible & thoughtful action by the chief.

Scoffing means to show derisiveness or scorn.  Really?  We are discussing the cause of death of individuals & while there may be a difference of opinion, a death following the use of a TASER ECD is nothing at which to scoff.

So what number are we discussing & seemingly disagreeing over?  Amnesty International’s (AI) number for the number for TASER-related deaths since 2001.

In AI’s most recent report on TASER ECDs, “Less Than Lethal?  The Use of Stun Weapons In US Law Enforcement,” released in Dec 2008, AI acknowledges that it has conducted no medical studies & has done no direct evaluation of TASER ECDs.  They simply clip news story headlines from the media & look at other open source materials then published their so called “finding.”  The following is taken directly from AI’s report.

Pg 1:  “There has been ongoing controversy surrounding the potential lethality of CEDs, especially since the introduction in the past decade of more powerful new generation models.  Since June 2001, more than 330 people in the USA are reported to have died after being struck by police Tasers & 25 similar deaths have been reported in Canada. In most cases coroners have attributed the deaths to other causes, such as drug intoxication or ‘excited delirium,’ a term often used to describe someone who is in an agitated or highly disturbed state.  However, in at least 50 cases, coroners are reported to have listed the Taser as a cause or contributory factor in the death.  Medical examiners’ findings & the role of CEDs in deaths continue to be the subject of dispute.

Pg 3:  “Amnesty International’s review is not a scientific study, nor is the organization in a position to reach conclusions regarding the role of the Taser in each case.”

Pg 20:  “Between June 2001 & 31 August 2008, 334 people are reported to have died in the USA after being shot with a police CED. “Amnesty International does not suggest that Tasers necessarily caused or contributed to each of these deaths.”

Despite this admission, AI continues to promote a number for TASER-related deaths that is not only misleading & inaccurate, but also unsupported by medical or academic science.  Yet media sources continue to print this number without referencing Amnesty’s own admission that there is nothing scientific about finding.

A closer look at the scientific & medical evidence associated with the arrest-related deaths cited by AI indicates that in less than 50 incidents a TASER ECD has been listed by a medical examiner or coroner as a contributing factor or more likely couldn’t be ruled out in an arrest related death & in only a few disputed cases has a TASER ECD been listed as the “cause” of death.  In many of these cases, numerous causes, drug overdoses, pre-existing medical conditions, blunt trauma, & other factors have also been listed.  Clearly any arrest related death is of concern, but we have to look at science & facts.

A number of independent reviews & government studies, including medical studies in peer reviewed journals, have affirmed the safety & life-saving value of TASER technology as a safer, more effective response to resistance.  TASER stands confidently by the safety & effectiveness of its products through research, proven field results, risk management review, education & the lives that are protected by TASER ECDs.

There are no responses to resistance options that are entirely risk free, including ECDs. However, most would agree that TASER ECDs are safer than punches, kicks, swarms, baton strikes, K-9 bites, impact muntions, or rubber bullets. 

Over the past several years, the US Dept of Justice has reviewed many of the arrest-related deaths in which a TASER ECD has been listed by a medical examiner or coroner as a contributing factor or could not be ruled out.  In May 2011, the US DOJ’s Nat’l Institute of Justice (NIJ) released its final report afterf more than six years of study. (Laub, J. Study of Deaths Following Electro Muscular Disruption.  NIJ.  May 2011.)  Some of the key findings include:

“Unlike the risk of secondary injury due to falling or puncture, the risk of human death due directly or primarily to the electrical effects of CED application has not been conclusively demonstrated. However, there are anecdotal cases where no other significant risk factor for death is known.  Additionally, current research does not support a substantially increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia in field situations, even if the CED darts strike the front of the chest.  There are anecdotal cases where no other significant risk factor for death is known & where the temporal association provides weak circumstantial evidence of causation.  The panel reviewed studies on ventricular fibrillation with respect to dart placement, demonstration of ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity in animals, & anecdotal examples of capture in humans wearing cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators.  These studies suggest plausible but unproven mechanisms for unusual & rare cases of death due to a confluence of unlikely circumstances.”

“There is no conclusive medical evidence in the current body of research literature that indicates a high risk of serious injury or death to humans from the direct or indirect cardiovascular or metabolic effects of short-term CED exposure in healthy, normal, nonstressed, nonintoxicated persons.  Field experience with CED use indicates that short-term exposure is safe in the vast majority of cases.  The risk of death in a CED-related use-of-force incident is less than 0.25 percent, & it is reasonable to conclude that CEDs do not cause or contribute to death in the large majority of those cases.

“Law enforcement need not refrain from using CEDs to place uncooperative or combative subjects in custody, provided the devices are used in accordance with accepted national guidelines & appropriate use-of-force policy.  The current literature as a whole suggests that deployment of a CED has a margin of safety as great as or greater than most alternatives.”

The nature of arrest related deaths is extremely important.  Lives & public safety are at risk.  However, putting aside the emotion, we have to remember the old adage, “Just the facts, please.”

Speaking of the facts, current medical & safety studies can be found on TASER International’s web site.

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Category: Research & Safety, TASER Deaths - Headline Updates
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