TASER Risk Management
Dear TASER, thank you for saving my life.
Every day around the world it plays out in some minor variation; A drugged out, aggressive idiot decides to resist arrest. Perhaps he uses his fists or even a weapon such as a knife or club to help our tough guy assault the cops. He advances on the cops despite repeated warnings to stop or drop his weapon.
Fifteen years ago, you would have had a dead criminal on your hands. Today, the police use a TASER electronic control device to subdue the crook and bring the situation to a quick and safe conclusion. Instead of lawsuits, these bums should be sending Thank You notes to the officers for not using their clubs or perhaps even a firearm.
How many injuries have been prevented and how many lives have been saved by using these devices instead of 9mm's? As of today, more than 85,000 people have been saved from potential death or serious injury using TASER® devices.
Honestly though, it's not the bad guys I am worried about. My focus is the improved officer and citizen safety and the resulting financial savings that comes out of the use of less-lethal weapons by our police forces. Every time an officer engages in a physical confrontation there is a very real chance of serious injury or death to either the suspect, the officer or to both.
The cost to a city when an officer is injured is multi-faceted.
Every time a cop is injured there is a hole in the protection provided to his or her city. The police resources are spread even more thin than they were before the officer was injured. Add to that the cost of the Workers' Compensation claim which includes the medical costs and indemnification for the lost wages. Don't think the costs are passed off to the magical insurance genie. The municipalities almost certainly retain virtually all of the financial obligation for the claims. What it means in sum is that the city is down an officer, while at the same time incurring medical bills and wages for the officer. The proper use of TASER devices can significantly reduce the need for our officers to engage suspects physically.
From a risk management standpoint, the increased utilization of TASER units and other less-lethal weapons to neutralize suspects is a huge win for our communities. Fewer injuries and associated workers compensation claims along with less days off due to injury adds up to better protection and reduced cost to the taxpayers.
WANT PROOF? ----TASER Risk Managment