Public Safety
US government reports have recognized for years that ESWs can cause adverse, irreversible and unintended consequences, including death.(1,2) A US government risk characterization report for ESW technologies also acknowledged that safety thresholds, dose response data as well as thresholds for ventricular fibrillation for ESWs were not available prior to their deployment.(3) These thresholds are still not available today.
Given that ESW manufacturers now acknowledge known and possible side effects of ESWs include cardiac rhythm capture and that output measurement can vary due to factors beyond their control, ESW measurement is a must. In fact, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recognized the importance to develop a standardized method to test the reliability, performance and proper operation of ESWs.(4,5) IEC 62769: Electroshock Weapon Measurement Method will become the first industry standard for ESWs that will insure safer and more reliable ESW operation.
This is why AEGIS has developed the AXEOS ESW Analyzer. As part of a comprehensive ESW Measurement Management Program, the AXEOS will ensure that ESW performance and reliability are tested and recorded prior to use. This program will also ensure that ESW measurements can be available for evidentiary and trend identification purposes. Are your officers and agency protected?
Deliberate indifference to ESW output is no longer an option.
2. 2002, DOD Human Effects Review Board (HERB)
3. 2004, DOD Human Effects Risk Characterization (HERC)
4. 2009, NIST Office of Law enforcement Standards (OLES)
5. 2012, IEC 62792: Electroshock Measurement Method
Officer Safety
The last thought an officer should have while deploying any ESW is whether faulty or failed output will cause or contribute to adverse irreversible and unintended consequences that could even include death.
Proper operation and performance could mean the difference between life and death.
Just as measurement standards and best practices exist to measure the performance of radar guns, breathalyzers and AEDs, ESWs performance should also be measured before going on duty, after use or upon failure to incapacitate an individual. The AEGIS AXEOS ESW Analyzer increases officer and public safety by checking ESW performance and reliability. Are your officers and agency protected?
Deliberate indifference to ESW output is no longer an option.
Agency Safety
ESW manufacturers are now acknowledging that the known and possible side effects of ESWs include cardiac rhythm capture and other deleterious effects that can result in liabilities for officers and agencies deploying ESWs.
The performance and reliability of ESWs, like all electrical products, can vary due to factors beyond a manufacturer’s control. Once new electronic technology has been adopted by law enforcement, a regular measurement standard and best practices are typically introduced.(1) Best practice policies for radar guns, breathalyzers, and AEDs include regular testing for product safety, performance and reliability.(2)
ESWs, weapons designed to introduce electrical assault into subjects, are not and should not be excluded from this same regular measurement and best practice policy standard.(3,4) Considering that some ESW manufacturers do not disclose their electrical output specifications and given that ESW manufacturers are requiring law enforcement agencies and officers to provide a release of liability and hold harmless clauses for any liability arising out of the deployment of ESWs, it is incumbent that every department or agency deploying ESWs protect itself and its’ officers by incorporating an ESW Measurement Risk Management Program to determine/validate the electrical output, performance and reliability of their ESWs. Are your officers and agency protected?
Deliberate indifference to ESW output is no longer an option.
(2) 2012, CALEA, Law Enforcement Program Standards
Best Practice
The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have collaborated with industry professionals and identified IEC 62792: Electroshock Weapon Measurement Method to standardize the measurement of ESWs for characterization, performance and reliability.(1)
Given that ESW manufacturers reserve the right to change the product specifications without notice and also require law enforcement officers and agencies to provide the manufacturer with a release of liability and hold harmless warranty for all liability arising out of the deployments of ESWs, common sense and best practices dictate that ESWs should be measured in a standardized way to validate safety, performance and reliability.
The AEGIS AXEOS, along with a comprehensive ESW Measurement Management Program can identify, minimize or even mitigate significant risks associated with ESWs before it is too late. Are your officers and agency protected?