SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices (ECDs), today acknowledged the recommendations by the RAND Corporation for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to implement a pilot program for the expanded use of conductive energy devices (CEDs). The findings and recommendations on conductive energy devices are contained in a monograph prepared by the RAND Corporation for the New York City Police Department and released yesterday titled "Evaluation of the New York City Police Department Firearm Training and Firearm-Discharge Review Process."
With regard to conductive energy devices, the RAND study concluded that "(a)nalysis of the NYPD firearm-discharge cases and the experience of other police departments suggests that, if the NYPD employed a more robust, less lethal standoff weapon, it might not only prevent some incidents from escalating to deadly force but also reduce injuries to officers and citizens alike, as it has with other departments."
The RAND study also stated that "treating CEDs as only a substitute for deadly force ... would endanger officers and negate the benefits that have been demonstrated."
The overall recommendation regarding CEDs by RAND is for the NYPD to implement a six- to twelve-month pilot program in which patrol officers in selected precincts are trained and equipped with CEDs to determine the impact CED use might have on the way in which NYPD officers apply force.
The report was conducted under the auspices of the RAND Center on Quality Policing within the Safety and Justice Program of RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment (ISE). New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly asked the RAND Corporation in January 2007 "to examine the quality and completeness of the NYPD's firearm-training program and identify potential improvements in the design and delivery of the curriculum, the technology used, the frequency and duration of training sessions, the tactics and procedures on which the training is based, and the police department's firearm-discharge review process."
The RAND study includes a section titled, "Need for an Improved Less-Than-Lethal Standoff Weapon" with several sections discussing in great detail the TASER(r) Electronic Control Device otherwise referred to as the TASER Conducted Energy Device in this report.
More information can be found on CEDs in the RAND study on pages 64-78 and on pages 96-97 of the complete report which can be found at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/public_information/RAND_FirearmEvaluation.pdf
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International's products protect life. TASER provides advanced Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) for use in the law enforcement, medical, military, corrections, professional security, and personal protection 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. For more information please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
The TASER International logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2931
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements, without limitation, regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International. These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) market acceptance of our products; (2) our ability to establish and expand direct and indirect distribution channels; (3) our ability to attract and retain the endorsement of key opinion-leaders in the law enforcement community; (4) the level of product technology and price competition for our products; (5) the degree and rate of growth of the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; (6) risks associated with rapid technological change and new product introductions; (7) competition; (8) litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries and death; (9) media publicity concerning allegations of deaths and injuries occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative effect this publicity could have on our sales; (10) TASER device tests and reports; (11) product quality; (12) implementation of manufacturing automation; (13) potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; (14) financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers; (15) order delays; (16) dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers; (17) negative reports concerning the TASER device; (18) fluctuations in component pricing; (19) government regulations and inquiries; (20) dependence upon key employees and our ability to retain employees; (21) execution and implementation risks of new technology; (22) ramping manufacturing production to meet demand; (23) medical and safety studies; (24) field test results; and (25) other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Form 10-Qs.
The statements made herein are independent statements of TASER International. The inclusion of any third parties does not represent an endorsement of any TASER International products or services by any such third parties.