Tom and Rick Smith demonstrate the TASER X3 at last week's TASER Conference

On Monday, July 27, Rick and Tom Smith, the co-founders of TASER International, unveiled the multi-shot X3, our first new handheld TASER ECD since 2003, during their keynote address at the beginning of the 2009 annual TASER Conference. It was one of the many TASER solutions for law enforcement, corrections and military customers that were highlighted that day.

The keynote address and the launch of the X3 was covered by numerous Arizona print and television media outlets. Incredibly, the story filed by the local Associated Press reporter was picked up by more than one thousand papers around the world. In addition, writers from a couple of trade magazines attended the keynote as well, so we are looking forward to those articles in the upcoming editions. Since the launch, I’m thankful to say that the media request and TV interviews haven’t slow down. The TASER X3 has been featured and demonstrated on FOX Business Network’s “Money for Breakfast” with Alexis Glick, has been written about on WIRED Magazine’s Danger Room, and was  shown in a video post on the Engadget website. Then today, Tom Smith gave a live demonstration of the X3 to Bill Hemmer on FOX News America’s Newsroom, wrapping up an exciting week of interest and coverage.  

The 2009 Annual TASER Conference was more than just a keynote address and product launch. It also included a four-day Master Instructors School providing advanced training for more than 300 Master Instructors from the United States and 29 countries around the world. Some of the countries that were represented were: the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. These Master Instructors went through rigorous TASER training, Master Instructor certification and standalone product certifications. They had to take tests daily in order to pass the Master Instructor course, but this year they had a huge incentive beyond their certification; everyone who passed the program received a TASER X3. Can you believe it — all the participating instructors passed! Master Instructors School is more than just training. Many of the instructors will tell you that they enjoyed the networking opportunities that were held throughout the week’s training where they had a chance to share training ideas, learn new concepts and become more than just colleagues. Despite having to do homework and study comprehensive lesson plans, the lessons learned from sharing information among some of the world’s top trainers was invaluable.

Finally, as an added bonus — and just as important — thanks to a benefit performance by county music star Mark Wills and the generosity of the instructors, we were able to raise during the week more than $4100 in donations to the TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers. All in all, it was a wonderful week. The Training Department, Master Instructor Board and Senior Master Instructors at TASER International once again provided a best-in-class week of training and everyone at TASER International went above and beyond to launch another product that will protect lives.

Hundreds of corrections and law enforcement officers took part in the 2009 Mock Prison Riots, honing skills, learning new techniques and demonstrating and evaluating new equipment. For example, twenty officers were certified by the TASER training team on the new TASER® Shockwave™ area denial system and 61 officers were certified on the new TASER® XREP™ wireless shotgun projectiles.  

A K-9 unit stands ready to break up a hostage situation

Over the course of the four-day event, I observed five training scenarios. Two of the training scenarios were staged in the cell blocks, with one scenario simulating 15 inmates refusing lockdown and the other simulating a situation where a guard was taken hostage by a group of inmates. During the hostage scenario, the rescue team brought in a K-9 unit, and it was so compelling to see how the dog scared the inmates into submission. I have a much better understanding and greater respect for the effectiveness and power of a well-trained K-9.

I also watched a scenario where a bus with inmates onboard broke down. The CERT (Corrections Emergency Response Team) threw smoke screens and flash bangs to distract the inmates so they could get on the bus and regain control. Yet another scenario was in the dining hall, where inmates started fighting and barricaded the doors to the hall. There were three teams of CERT officers who entered the dining hall and used both chemical and non-lethal devices to contain the situation.  

This is my second year in a row attending Mock Riots with TASER. I must say that Mock Riots is one of my favorite events to attend; the people that attend this event are so friendly and dedicated to their profession. These men and women have no fear of learning new skills, trying new equipment or even taking a voluntary exposure of a TASER electronic control device (ECD) — amazingly more than 200 people volunteered to feel the effects of our ECD technology.

CERT officers board a broken down bus full of inmates

All in all, in my opinion, this year’s Mock Prison Riots was again a huge success. It attracted numerous agencies from around the world, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Egypt, the Bahamas and Canada. The impressive list of attendees also included training chiefs, tactical operators, and other industry experts.  

Four days goes quickly when you are at the Mock Prison Riots. It is a bit of a let-down now that the event is over; but the team from TASER International, including me, is already looking forward to coming back next year!

Arriving at the West Virginia Penitentiary, site of the Mock Prison Riots

Throughout the four day event, men and women who keep our nation safe are able to deploy emerging technologies during best practice tactical training scenarios. Some of these scenarios include: cell extractions, riot control, hostage rescue, conflict resolution, and both lethal and non-lethal situations.  

On Sunday, I joined more than a half dozen other TASER representatives for a day filled with setting up our trade show booth, painting targets and preparing for the upcoming scenarios. I was even able to attend a portion of the skills competition.  

Coming down the cargo net ladder on the skills course

I was doing a self-guided tour with other co-workers when we heard a lot of hollering and yelling coming from the obstacle course in the south yard. Our curiosity had us, so ventured over to see what was going on. We found a five-man emergency response team midway through the obstacle course. These guys were physically exhausted from crawling through tunnels, climbing up a cargo net ladder, dragging and carrying a dummy and climbing up a wall. They were pushing their exhaustion levels to the extreme — one guy looked like he was going to hurl. His face was beat red, his buddies where trying to encourage him to keep going and no one in the group was going to leave this fellow officer behind.  

The dedication and drive these individuals exhibit is remarkable. They choose to work in jails where offenders resist authority and where they always have to watch their backs and their partner’s every movement. It amazed me, that as I was leaving, I discovered I have a whole new level of respect for these individuals.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@TASERHilary) for up-to-the-minute updates from the 2009 Mock Prison Riots. I’ll be sharing hard hitting videos of inmate take downs, results of the skills competition (the Singapore team is looking strong), and exciting new facts that you might not have known about our prison system.