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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 15, 2004. TASER International, Inc., a market leader in advanced non-lethal weapons, announced today that Home Secretary David Blunkett authorized the TASER M26 to be used by police forces throughout England and Wales.
"Five police forces have been trialling the use of Taser since April, 2003 on a strictly limited basis. In the light of results of the trial, I have authorised chief officers throughout England and Wales to deploy Taser for use in the same strictly limited circumstances," said Home Secretary David Blunkett.
"Chief Officers can now make the M26 Taser available to Authorised Firearms Officers in their force as a less lethal alternative for use in situations where a firearms authority has been granted in accordance with criteria laid down in the ACPO Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms. The Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) Sub Committee on the Medical implications of Less Lethal Weapons (DOMILL) was invited to provide a Second statement on the medical implications of the use of the M26 Advanced Taser. The DOMILL statement confirms that the risk of death from the M26 Taser is very low. I have placed a copy of the statement in the Library of the House."
Michael Tonge, Chief Constable of Gwent Police and spokesperson for ACPO Conflict Management portfolio, said: "We welcome the extension of Taser, allowing it to be used by firearms officers in all forces across the country. We are constantly seeking less lethal options to resolve dangerous situations safely and without injury to any person, and the Taser provides officers with another tool whose use may be more appropriate than a conventional firearm in certain circumstances."
"It is important to stress, however, that Taser cannot be a replacement for firearms and where officers face a threat from firearms they will meet that threat with firearms. Taser reduces the risk to officers called to deal with a violent offender because it can be fired from a distance. It is also a strategic option in helping to resolve incidents before the risk of harm is heightened. Ultimately it can only further improve public safety," Tonge said.
As further stated in the press release from the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, "The evaluation looked how successfully Taser was used as a supplementary option to other deployment methods, including firearms, dogs, baton rounds and irritant spray. It concluded the Taser has a number of benefits, both operationally for police officers and in terms of enhanced public safety. In a public opinion survey carried out following the trial, where 1,164 people were interviewed, 90 per cent of respondents thought that firearms officers and specially-trained officers should be allowed to use Taser. The Taser technology has been tested by the Police Scientific Development Branch and a medical assessment has been carried out by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory," concluded the statement.
"This is the beginning of a long term, close relationship with the police forces in the United Kingdom," said TASER International President Tom Smith. "The announcement today by Home Secretary, Mr. Blunkett follows years of academic, medical, practical, and field studies of our TASER brand conducted energy technology. We are thrilled with the resounding endorsement of greater widespread use of the TASERs throughout United Kingdom. This may well have a direct impact on police forces in Europe and numerous other countries that have been following the United Kingdom trials in detail, especially the former commonwealth countries," stated Mr. Smith.
"We are working very closely with our exclusive United Kindgom distributor Pro-Tect Systems, Ltd. to prepare for the impending orders. Pro-Tect Systems has worked diligently with us as a liaison to support the studies and trials during the last several years. Pro-Tect Systems will be providing all of our support to the police forces throughout the United Kingdom as the TASER program continues to expand and move forward over the next several years," concluded Mr. Smith.
TASER International, Inc. provides advanced non-lethal weapons for use in the law enforcement, private security, and personal defense markets. Its flagship ADVANCED TASER M26 product uses proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects that may be impervious to other non-lethal means. Its latest product, the TASER X26 is 60% smaller and lighter than the ADVANCED TASER M26 and reduces injury rates to suspects and officers, thereby lowering liability risk and improving officer safety. TASER technology is currently in testing or deployment at over 5,500 law enforcement and correctional agencies in the U.S. and Canada.
For more information, see www.TASER.com.
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