Taser Law Enforcement Pr 2005
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FOR RELEASE IMMEDIATE: July 19, 2005 CONTACT: Steve Tuttle Vice President of Communications TASER International, Inc. Media ONLY Hotline: (480) 444-4000 Major City Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs’ Association, National Sheriffs’ Association and the FBI National Institute Associates Pass Resolution Supporting Use of Electronic Control Devices America’s leading law enforcement executive management associations recognize that electronic control devices have repeatedly saved the lives of officers SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 19, 2005 -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq: TASR), a market leader in advanced non-lethal weapons announced the passage of a resolution by America’s leading law enforcement executive management associations regarding the utilization of electronic control devices including TASER™ brand devices and other less lethal technologies. “The proclamation’s support stems from the fact that electronic control devices have been one of the most important tools developed for officer and suspect safety,” stated Mac Connole, Draper City Police Chief and Executive Director for the FBI National Institute Associates. “Electronic control devices, such as TASER technology, provide officers with a safer use of force alternative to stop dangerous subjects as well as the emotionally disturbed without using a more extreme or deadly force to calm the situation,” concluded Chief Connole. “There have been no fatalities or deputy involved injuries since the deployment of TASER devices at my agency two years ago,” said Sheriff Aaron Kennard of Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office and past president of both the Utah and National Sheriffs’ Association. “This is a serious measuring stick of the vital impact this technology has had with the law enforcement community and should not be taken lightly.” The following resolution was passed: Resolution for the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs’ Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the FBI National Institute Associates regarding the utilization of electronic control devices and other less lethal technologies. Whereas, the members of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs’ Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the FBI National Institute Associates are deeply interested in and supportive of the on-going quest for technologies that will contribute to officer safety and the protection of human life; and Whereas, experience has shown that the application of the electronic control device technology by trained law enforcement officers has repeatedly saved the lives of officers and negated the need for them to employ deadly force against their assailants; and Whereas, in many cases the violent offenders who assault such officers are under the influence of either alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both which tends to impede their ability to make rational decisions; and Whereas, there are many documented cases of the lives of both officers and perpetrators being saved by the timely application of electronic control devises or other less lethal technology, now, therefore, the members of the above-listed organizations do resolve as follows: 1. The continuing development, improvement and evaluation of less lethal technologies must be strongly supported and funded by the federal government. 2. Objective and impartial research and study by reputable health professionals or academicians should be conducted to determine the actual cause of death in those cases which have been attributed to the utilization of less lethal technologies including the application of electronic control devices. 3. The utilization of the electronic control devices should be placed on the scale of force at active resistance level. There are literally hundreds of documented cases where the utilization of electronic control devices against violently resisting suspects has prevented injuries both to the suspects themselves as well as to officers and innocent bystanders or victims. 4. Finally, it is important that law enforcement as a profession and as an industry, work through its various member agencies to educate the general public on the importance and value of the electronic control devices and other less lethal technologies through demonstrations and in public presentations as well as through the many civilian academies and ride-along programs that are carried by the many thousands of police agencies in the United States. The Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs’ Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the FBI National Institute Associates strongly endorse the above-listed strategies and pledge to support them whenever the opportunity presents itself. Signed by: Major Cities Chief Association Major County Sheriffs’ Association National Sheriffs’ Association FBI National Institute Associates Contact person: Chief Harold Hurtt, President - 713-308-1626 Sheriff James Karnes, President - 614-462-3360 Sheriff Aaron Kennard, President - 801-468-3900 Chief Mac Connole, Exec. Director - 801-576-6525 About the Major Cities Chiefs Association Fifty-seven major law enforcement organizations in the United States and Canada comprise the membership of the Major Cities Chiefs’ Association. The Association was formed in the late 1960's by a few chiefs of police who wished to have a forum to discuss organizational issues only relevant to large police organizations. The MCC has gradually expanded its membership to include suburban police departments, large metropolitan sheriff's departments, and the larger departments in Canada. The MCC meets three times each year for discussion of issues facing law enforcement. Current membership is limited to those chief executive officers of departments located within a metropolitan area of more than 1.5 million population and departments which employ more than 1,000 law enforcement officers. A few of the original MCC members no longer meet these criteria as a result of population shifts. However, these departments’ memberships have been grandfathered. About the Major County Sheriffs’ Association The Major County Sheriffs’ Association (MCSA) is a professional law enforcement association of elected sheriffs representing counties or parishes with a population of 500,000 or more who are dedicated to preserve the highest integrity in law enforcement and the elected office of the sheriff. MCSA works to promote a greater understanding of law enforcement strategies to address futures problems and identify law enforcement challenges facing the members of our organization. MCSA is committed to advancing legislative issues that will enhance the safety of our communities. MCSA also seeks to promote the development of innovative education, prevention and enforcement strategies and programs. About National Sheriffs' Association The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) was chartered in 1940 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among sheriffs, their deputies, and others in the field of criminal justice and public safety so that they may perform their jobs in the best possible manner, in service to the people of their communities. In support of that mission, NSA provides to sheriffs and other criminal justice practitioners resources, technical assistance, opportunities for professional development, information and congressional advocacy. At its annual conferences, NSA also provides valuable opportunities for networking and interacting with fellow criminal justice professionals. For more information visit: http://www.sheriffs.org. About National Executive Institute Associates The National Executive Institute Associates (NEIA) is a private, non-profit, public service foundation. Its membership consists of over 400 graduates of the FBI's National Executive Institute. The NEI is a three-week executive training program offered by the FBI to the chief executive officers of the largest law enforcement organizations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. The primary purpose of the Associates is to assist in the continuing education and training of these executives. This is accomplished by an annual training conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, an annual research project, and the publication of various articles in the area of law enforcement. The NEIA Leadership Bulletin is published on this website on a regular basis. The articles may be downloaded and further disseminated without acquiring permission. For more information visit: http://www.neiassociates.org. About TASER International, Inc. TASER International provides advanced non-lethal devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (800) 9782737 or visit our website at http://www.TASER.com. For further information contact Steve Tuttle, Vice President of Communications. Visit the company's web-site at http://www.TASER.com for facts and video. ###