The Use of Tasers in Law Enforcement

The Use of Tasers in Law EnforcementThe Use of Tasers in Law EnforcementIn nearly every industry, technology continues to change the way people do their jobs. Whether youre a journalist, a soldier, or an accountant, your counterparts from even a few years ago may have a hard time recognizing the world in which you work today because of the incredible advancements in technology. Police officers are no different. The tools law enforcement officers carry today are in many ways a far cry from those they used in the notlage-so-distant past- with wearable cameras, computers in patrol cars, and algorithms that can predict crime. Few tools, however, have had quite the impact or come with as much controversy as the electronic control device (ECD), more commonly known as the Taser. The concept of the electronic control device is centered on the idea that potentially violent confrontations can be brought to a relatively safe conclusion without the use of deadly force whenever possible. The ECD is not intended to replace a firearm, but to provide a safer means of dealing with non-deadly force situations. The best-known and most successful ECD to date is the Taser, manufactured and distributed by Taser grenzberschreitend. The Invention of the Taser Science Fiction Comes to Life Developed in the 1960s by John Cover, the Taser gun is the embodiment of science fiction becoming science fact. It differed from other stun guns and electroshock weapons in that it could be fired and deployed at a distance. The weapon was directly influenced by the popular Tom Swift science fiction stories, namely Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle. The word Taser is, in fact, an acronym for Thomas A. Swifts Electric Rifle. Unlike the fictional model, the actual Taser doesnt fire bolts of electricity or shoot through walls without leaving holes. It does, however, provide police and private citizens with a means of self-defense that can mitigate or eliminate the chances of serious injury or death, b oth to themselves and their assailants. Not Quite Ready For Prime Time The first model, invented directly by Cover, used gun powder to launch electrified darts. Because of this, it was classified as a firearm and did not see widespread use. Police agencies and private citizens looking for non-lethal or less-lethal alternatives to guns were understandably not interested in what they perceived to be just another gun and potential liability. TASERS Change the Game In the early 1990s, brothers Tom and Rick Smith approached Cover, looking to develop a means to reduce deaths resulting from violent confrontation. The group created the Air Taser, a weapon that fired darts using air rather than gun powder and thus shed its firearm classification. The new deployment method allowed it to stand on its own as a non-lethal intermediate weapon. A newer, more effective and versatile device was soon developed, and the law enforcement community began to see potential benefits to the device. B y 1999, agencies across the country began to purchase the weapons for their officers. As it began to see widespread use among police agencies, the Taser was quickly heralded as a revolutionary new way to protect both officers and suspects. Many hoped that line-of-duty officer deaths and injuries from violent encounters would significantly decrease and police shootings would be reduced. Tasers, Controversy, and Confusion It was not long after, however, that controversy quickly arose as law enforcement officers, the news media and the public at large all seemed to be confused at the role, purpose, and function of this futuristic stun gun. Reports of excessive force, over-zealous cops and even deaths by Taser soon began to make their way into the public forum. Stories of children, vulnerable adults and the elderly being shocked by stun guns that shot 50,000 volts through their bodies began to give Taser a schwimmbad name. Policies, Standards, and Statistics Save the Day Police departments across the country quickly responded by creating more restrictive policies that governed the use of electronic control devices. State legislatures passed laws requiring training and certification in their use, and Taser International continued to encourage the collection of data on the use of the Taser. These measures ultimately lead to wider acceptance of the device among law enforcement agencies and have cemented the ECDs place as an indispensable law enforcement tool. How the Taser Works The Taser serves two distinct functions during a use of force encounter. Its primary and preferred use is as an incapacitation device that allows officers to maintain a safe distance while rendering a threat incapable of fighting back. Though the technology is advanced, the concept is simple. When fired, the Taser projects two metal darts, called probes, by electrically charging a cartridge of compressed gas. The probes remain connected to the device through thin copper wires that carry an electric charge to the target. The probes often enter the targets skin, though they can be just as effective if they become lodged in clothing as long as they remain close to the body. Contact is far less important than probe spread. The wider the spread, the more effective the incapacitation. Electro-Muscular Incapacitation As the probes travel toward a subject, they spread. When the probes reach their target, they send electric pulses between each other, which disrupt neuron communications between the subjects muscles and the brain. When this happens, most subjects muscles become incredibly tense. The net effect is that the target subjects become incapable of engaging muscle groups for the duration of the charge cycle. This effect is known as neuromuscular incapacitation. As soon as the cycle is ended, however, the effect goes away. ECD Charging Cycles A single cycle is typically timed to brde 5 seconds, though an officer can stop it sooner by turning off the dev ice.Once the probes are in place in the target, the officer can deliver multiple cycles as he deems necessary and appropriate. Major Pain Compliance The second use of the Taser is to gain what is known as pain compliance. If incapacitation is a simple concept, the use of pain compliance is even simpler. In the event an officer finds herself in close quarters with a non-compliant subject, the Taser can be used without a cartridge to deliver a localized electric shock in order to deliver pain. The intended purpose of the pain is to entice the resistant subject to comply with the officers attempts to control him. Taser-Related Deaths According to the human rights organization Amnesty International, more than 1,000 people have died in the United States after having been exposed to a Taser or other ECD since 2001. Amnesty International has recognized that ECDs may not be directly responsible for these deaths, but theyve expressed concerns that ECDs may encourage more aggressive u ses of force by officers. Few, if any, of the so-called Taser-related deaths have been directly attributed to the effects of the devices themselves, and instead are the result of specific officer and subject factors. Most commonly, deaths have occurred from a condition known as excited delirium, a state most often seen in subjects who are high on certain stimulants and who have been fighting with officers. Other deaths and injuries occurred as a result of where and how the weapons were deployed in relation to the subject, such as on a ledge or on top of a staircase. In such cases, the subjects received injuries from falls as opposed to the effect of the electricity from the weapon. To reduce these instances, ECD manufacturers recommend, and agencies have adopted, policies governing their use. Saving Lives and Preventing Injury Taser International and other ECD manufacturers insist that correlation does not necessarily equal causation. To counter accusations of ECD-related deaths , excessive force and other issues surrounding the use of ECDs, Taser claims that the use of electronic control devices has saved 75,000 lives, reduced injuries to suspects by 60 percent and prevents thousands of injuries and deaths to law enforcement officers each year. Electronic Control Devices Effective Tools of the Trade Regardless of where you may come down on the debate as to whether electronic control devices are an appropriate useof force, it is hard to deny that they are an effective tool for todays law enforcement officers. Tasers and other similar devices, along with other less lethal and non-lethal weapons, continue to change how officers approach and deal with aggressive and violent subjects. These ingenious devices are but one example of how technology is used in law enforcement, as well as how technology has continued to change the landscape of other careers in criminal justice and criminology.

This Entrepreneur Has a Lesson About Career Growth for All of Us

This Entrepreneur Has a Lesson About Career Growth for All of UsThis Entrepreneur Has a Lesson About Career Growth for All of UsHard work. Determination. A willingness to take feedback. A desire to keep learning and improving. These are career-boosting traits we talk about all the time at The Muse. And sometimes, were lucky enough to see them in action. Last month, I visited Soweto, a township in Johannesburg, South Africa, and met women who had started businesses in their community. Its one of the poorest parts of the country, with unemployment rates of more than 30%. One of those women was Gape, the 28-year-old owner of a fast food stand. She wakes up at 2 AM, seven days a week, to bake 150 loaves of bread and prepare the days food for her regular customers, mainly men who work at a nearby steel plant during the week. Their wives are at home, and I like feeding them so they dont go out and find new wives, she tells me with a smile.Her recipe for success is continuing to learn and g row. In the spare time she does have, shes taken business classes through Coca-Colas 5by20 program to improve her skills in inventory management, accounting, and marketing. Theyve helped her business so much that shes hired three employees and is contemplating a second location. She also makes a point to listen to her customers. Shes not afraid of hearing their feedback- instead, she uses it to become a better cook and a smarter business owner. Its a lesson for anyone who wants to grow Be humble enough to seek advice from those around you. Even if youre the woman with the best bread in town, theres always more to learn. (It really was the best bread. But that recipe, she wouldnt give me.)

5 Ways to Prevent Interview Scheduling Snags

5 Ways to Prevent Interview Scheduling Snags5 Ways to Prevent Interview Scheduling SnagsTheres no nice way to put this youre not superhuman. Dont get us wrong. Youre probably an awesome recruiter or in house HR professional with a ton of experience and skills under your belt. Youve got the knowledge it takes to hunt down the best talent and weed out improbably candidates to save everyone time and to help make the hiring process smooth and efficient. But in todays hectic and time crunched day and age, recruiting professionals are often up against the clock and a myriad of ever filling schedules when it comes to finding the right time to bring in candidates for an vorstellungsgesprch. All is not hopeless however. If youve been feeling the crunch lately, weve put together this useful list of 5 ways to prevent interview scheduling snags. Hiring manager traveling? Ask for a backup. Travel today is easier than ever before. Via plane, train or automobile, professionals are often on the go g iven the ease of working remotely and the need for more connected workplaces. Whether for personal or business, travel schedules can be a major roadblock to a smooth interview scheduling process. If youre aware the hiring manager for the position will be away or unavailable, ask them to designate a backup to take their place. This is especially viable in early round interviews as the candidate can always meet with the hiring manager later in the process if the designee feels its a good fit. In-person interview not possible? Offer alternative interview methods.In-person interviews are always helpful for getting the best insight into a candidates experience and abilities. If an in person interview isnt possible because of zeiteinteilung or geographical concerns, however, technology is here to help out. Web based meeting host applications and even video conferencing features are readily available. Set up a video interview via the internet and keep the hiring process rolling, despite th e parties not being in the same room. Interviewer back out at the last minute? Pull from your all-star list. Despite your best laid plans there are always going to be last minute snagged in even the smoothest of interview schedules. If youre the internal HR contact and an interviewer is forced to pull out at the last minute help yourself by having a list of quality backup options. IDentify three to four well-rounded individuals within the company that may be willing to step into the interviewers time slot. The company will still benefit from invaluable experience while eliminating gaps and maximizing everyones use of time. Going on vacation? Collaborate with hiring managers to keep top candidates engaged. We appreciate that youre dedicated to your recruiting job but even the best and brightest cant keep working 24/7. If youre in the middle of guiding the recruiting process for a new position but have personal plans, keep in touch with the hiring manager and delegate some of the duti es directly to them. Alternatively, items such as questionnaires can be great gap fillers to keep candidates engaged in the interview process while learning more about their skillset. Whatever you day, keep the lines of communication open to avoid losing out on quality interviewees. Amazing candidate not available soon? Be patient. Sure, we all have grand plans for immediately and efficiently staffing each open position with the best talent possible. Sometimes, however, that talent may be otherwise engaged or their schedule may be less than flexible. Remember that as a recruiter your focus should be on quality over quantity. Have patience with top shelf candidates and consider alternative interviewing methods discussed above in order to get them in the door and in front of the decision makers for the position.If youre a recruiter and have additional tips and tricks for dealing with interview scheduling snags wed love to hear your expert advice in the comments.Read Related ArticlesS elf-Audit For A Candidate-Friendly Job Application ProcessHow to Avoid the Pitfalls of a Cumbersome Hiring ProcessBalancing Act Ethical Interviewing That Works