10 Shocking Facts About Taser-powerpoint

10 SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT TASER®

Patricia Gerrond, CPCU, AIC, AReAVP-ClaimsMunich Re America

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What is TASER® an acronym for?

Victor Appleton was a house pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate, for several authors, who wrote about the Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle, beginning in 1911.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Victor Appleton was a house pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate, most famous for being associated with the Tom Swift series of books.

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10 Shocking Facts about TASER®

1. True or False?

A TASER® delivers a shock of 50,000 volts.

False.

Policemag.com August 2005 stated the science succinctly:

“The Taser is a conducted electrical weapon that incapacitates its target through involuntary muscle contraction. It achieves this with a short duration charge of 50,000 volts with extremely low amperage. This is the same type shock delivered by a static discharge from a doorknob in your home.”

• Voltage = Pressure. Compare to water lbs/in2

• Current = Amperes. Compare to Flow rate in gallons per second.

Per Taser published studies, the X26 delivers peak voltage of 1200 volts delivered in 19 pulses in 5 seconds. A wall outlet delivers 110 V at 16 amperes. A Christmas tree bulb is 1 amp. The Taser output is about .0036 amperes. This is about 1/20 the power a flash on a digital camera. One pulse lasts 90 microseconds. The pulse is too short to affect the heart. (Same reason why doorknob static does not kill you.)

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2. Is a TASER® a Deadly Weapon?

Is a TASER® likely to cause death or serious physical injury?

$1,000,000 question.

• Less lethal technology design

• Some show marked decline in shootings where department equipped

with TASER®

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3. True or False?

TASER® can start someone on fire.

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June 19, 2007, 4:06PMMan shocked by TASER® catches on fire© 2007 The Associated Press

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Authorities investigated Tuesday whether a TASER® stun gun that police used to subdue a man ignited gasoline he had poured over himself.Juan Flores Lopez, 47, died Tuesday at a Lubbock hospital.

Police initially used pepper spray when they tried to take Lopez into custody Monday evening. Then they used the TASER®. Some stun guns emit an electric spark when they deliver the jolt of electricity.

The Texas Rangers were also investigating whether a lighter that was on the porch could have contributed to the fire, Lt. Bob Bullock said.

"We don't know what ignited the fire," police Lt. Curtis Milbourn said.

No one else was injured in the confrontation.

It was unclear whether Lopez had been charged with anything.

Two of his sons who live nearby said their father had been threatening for months to burn himself and his house. His wife was seeking a divorce, and he didn't want to have to leave the house, the sons said.

True.

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4. True or False?

A suspect’s chances of surviving a police shooting are 1 in 10.

False.

3 of 4 people survive police shootings.

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5. True or False?

TASER® International settles claims made against it.

False.

As of June 2007, TASER® had successfully had cases against it dismissed, or the claims were dropped, 51 straight times.

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Source: TASER® International, Inc.50th Product Liability Lawsuit Dismissed Against TASER®

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER® International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices announced that the wrongful death product liability lawsuit filed by the estate of Leroy Pierson has been voluntarily dismissed against TASER® International. This is the fiftieth (50th) wrongful death or injury lawsuit that has been dismissed or judgment entered in favor of TASER® International. TASER® International has not lost any product liability lawsuit.

“Our outstanding legal team, notably Missy O'Linn with the law firm of Manning and Marder located in Los Angeles, continues to achieve impressive results," said Doug Klint, Vice President and General Counsel of TASER® International. "Missy O'Linn previously prevailed with a unanimous jury verdict for TASER® International in the jury trial of the Alvarado wrongful death litigation. Her legal expertise and experience representing law enforcement has been a huge asset for TASER® International.”

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10 shocking Facts about TASER®

6. True or False?

Your law enforcement liability insurance carrier will not cover your entity if it

is sued over the use of a TASER®.

Answer: Generally False; HOWEVER

What is pleaded against your entity and your officers.

• Intentional harm

• Assault and battery

• Expected or intended injury

• Reservations of Rights as to coverage may be taken by the carrier

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Defenses:

Qualified Immunity

MUNICIPAL LIABILITY ONLY WHERE FAILURE TO TRAIN AMOUNTS TO DELIBERATE

INDIFFERENCE TO THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH WHOM THE POLICE COME INTO

CONTACT

THE FOCUS MUST BE ON THE ADEQUACY OF TRAINING IN RELATION TO TASKS

PARTICULAR OFFICERS MUST PERFORM

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PESLIC/AAIC Language Sample – Law Enforcement-Retained Limit Form

2. Under the General Liability Coverage Part:

a. Exclusion 2. (Intentional Bodily Injury or Property Damage) is amended to read as follows:

2. Bodily Injury or Property Damage either expected or intended from the

standpoint of an Insured. This exclusion does not apply:

a. To Bodily Injury resulting from the use of reasonable force to protect persons or property; or

b. With respect to your law enforcement activities, including Bodily Injury or Property Damage within the impoundment, arrest or incarceration process (unless deemed to be a criminal act).

b. Exclusion 7.c. (Personal Property in Care, Custody or Control) does not apply to property which is impounded or on persons at the time of arrest or

incarceration with respect to your law enforcement activities (unless deemed to be a criminal act) within the impoundment, arrest or incarceration process.

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PESLIC Package Policy Language Sample- Law Enforcement Exclusion

SECTION II EXCLUSIONS

IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL EXCLUSIONS OF THIS POLICY, THIS SECTION DOES

NOT INSURE AGAINST:

A. Any CLAIM for damages, whether direct or consequential, or for any cause of action which is

covered under any other Section of this policy;

B. BODILY INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, or PERSONAL INJURY which the ASSURED

intended or expected; unless resulting from:

(1) An act alleged to be assault and battery for the purpose of preventing injury to persons or

damage to property;

(2) Corporal punishment (unless providing coverage for corporal punishment is prohibited by

law); or

(3) An act alleged to be assault and battery by an ASSURED resulting from LAW

ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES during the time of arrest or incarceration process, but only as

respects claims against the NAMED ASSURED for liability of the NAMED ASSURED.

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7. True or False?

TASER International® will provide your law enforcement agency with policies

and procedures for training your officers in proper TASER® usage.

False:

There are several police agencies, and numerous resources available through websites such as http://www.less-lethal.org, to provide samples, but your entity must enact its’ own policy and carry it out. TASER® can be a resource for you.

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8. True or False?

Amnesty International is a supporter of the use of TASER®

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Ill-treatment in jails and police custody

There were reports of ill-treatment of suspects in jails and police custody, involving abusive use of restraints and electro-shock weapons. More than 70 people died after being shocked with TASER® (dart-firing electro-shock weapons), bringing to more than 230 the number of such deaths since 2001.

(deleted numerous examples. See source for complete report)

In June the Justice Department announced that a two-year study of TASER® deaths would be undertaken by the National Institute of Justice. Meanwhile many police departments continued to use TASER® in situations that fell far below any threat of deadly force. The UN Committee against Torture called on the USA to deploy TASER® only as a non-lethal alternative to using firearms.

Source: http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/Regions/Americas/United-States-of-Americahttp://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/Regions/Americas/United-States-of-America

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10 Shocking Facts About TASER®

9. True or False?

TASER® devices save lives and protect your officers from injury.

Source: TASER.com and City of Minneapolis, MN.

TASER® ECD has proven to significantly reduce injuries to suspects up to 79%.

Estimated 9000 lives saved.

• City of Minneapolis, MN. 2005 statistics showed 326 events with use of force resulting in injuries 43.2% of the time. After TASER® of 154

events, 5.8% resulted in suspect injuries.

• Cincinnati PD documented 56% reduction in work comp costs.

• Cape Coral , Florida PD documented 93% reduction from 2002 to 2004.

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Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority study:

Excessive Force Claims

2000 compared to 2005 - 75% reduction

2001 compared to 2005 – 63% reduction



2004 through 11/30/2005 – 62% reduction

Source: Taser.com and MMRMA

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However:

Atlanta Journal Constitution article published 7/23/07 stated:

“In 2005 Dekalb police shot and killed 12 suspects, more than any other

metro Atlanta department. The shootings prompted demonstrations and a

grand jury investigation.

By contrast, shootings by the Phoenix police department causing injury or

death dropped 54% in the first year of full Taser deployment - …

Numbers alone may not answer the question. After Phoenix’s initial drop, for

instance, fatal police shootings fluctuated, jumping from nine in 2003 to 14 in

2004, followed by 9 in 2005 and 11 last wear. “

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10. True or False?

TASER® ECDs can protect your officers from injury.

Several studies have documented workers compensation savings.

Source, Cincinnati Police Department 56% reduction in workers compensation costs from 2005 to 2006.

35% decrease in suspect injuries in same period.

10 SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT TASER®

Thanks for your attention!

© Copyright 2007 Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. All rights reserved. The Munich Re America name is a mark owned by Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.

The material in this presentation is provided for your information only, and is not permitted to be further distributed without the express written permission of Munich Reinsurance America. This material is not intended to be legal, underwriting, financial, or any other type of professional advice. Examples given are for illustrative purposes only.

10 Shocking Facts About Taser-powerpoint

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