University Study Confirms TASER(R) Technology Reduces Injuries and Litigation Costs
Monday December 13, 7:30 am ET
TASER Devices Caused Fewer Injuries Compared to Other Uses of Force
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - TASER® International, Inc. (Nasdaq: TASR - News), a market leader in advanced non-lethal devices, announced today that an independent report issued by Florida Gulf Coast University titled, "TASER Deployments and Injuries: Analysis of Current and Emerging Trends," confirmed that TASER technology reduced deadly force litigation at the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) in Florida and caused fewer injuries versus traditional use of force tools.
The independent report was written by Dr. Charlie Mesloh, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Technological Innovation and Research at Florida Gulf Coast University and co-authored by OCSO Captain Steve Hougland, Ph.D. The co-authors reviewed every incident in OCSO from 2000-2003 involving TASER devices. The study confirmed that suspect lives were actually saved.
In one year, 18 suspects were subdued with a TASER device where the use of deadly force would have been justified. "Without the TASER those 18 suspects would have had deadly force used against them," said Mesloh. The report states that the "cost of deadly force litigation is identified at $100,000. This does not include damages. Based on the OCSO study for a single year, TASER as an intervention in deadly force encounters reduced legal costs by $1.8 million."
Mesloh's study also compared TASER technology to the use of defensive tactics, batons, canine, impact weapons, chemical agents and pepper sprays and found that there were fewer injuries related to TASER technology.
According to Mesloh's research, suspects surrendered 9 out of 10 times when a deputy drew the TASER device. "Within a short period of time what happened was when an officer drew the TASER, 90 percent of the time the suspects surrendered at that point," said Mesloh. Subsequently, fewer fights occurred between suspects and deputies resulting in fewer injuries to both parties. As a result, workman's compensation claims involving arrests dropped by 50 percent.
Mesloh's report further stated, "If the weapon chosen was not effective in neutralizing suspect resistance, the suspect was likely to use a greater amount of force against the officer. TASER had the lowest escalation rate of all less lethals. Baton use had the highest rate 50%."
"The Mesloh report is highly encouraging and supports the growing body of independent and scientific evidence confirming TASER technology safety and effectiveness," said Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International. "This report further confirms the experiences shared by thousands of law enforcement agencies, that deploying TASER technology reduces injuries, litigation costs and save lives every day."
The above referenced study is available at taser.com .
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International, Inc. provides advanced non-lethal devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to safely incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects and reduces litigation costs. TASER technology is currently in testing or deployment at over 6,000 law enforcement and correctional agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (480) 444-4000 or visit our website at taser.com . |
