Aegis Strongly Endorses New Policies Regarding Stun Devices.

MONTEREY, Calif. -- Aegis Industries strongly endorses the recent decisions by the Austin, Texas and Mesa, Arizona police departments for updating and modifying the circumstances under which their officers can deploy stun devices. The decisions to update their use of force policies regarding the deployment of these devices is in line with the recommendations suggested by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) (http://www.iacp.org/research/rcdcuttingedgetech.htm).

"Aegis would like to recognize the Austin (APD) and Mesa (MPD) police departments for being among the first departments in the nation to recognize the need to limit the use of stun devices in certain situations as well as establishing guidelines for their deployment," remarked Kenneth J. Stethem, CEO, Aegis Industries. "These guidelines demonstrate a consideration for more sensitive populations, such as the elderly and children, and reaches out to the growing public concern and media attention. We believe that these guidelines also demonstrate a growing trend nationwide," said Stethem.

Several of the new policy changes in the APD include restrictions for the use of stun devices on pregnant women, children under 14, the elderly or disabled, or suspects fleeing for a misdemeanor or nonviolent offense, unless the suspect is armed and poses an immediate threat to the officer or another person, as well as when flammable liquids or gasses are present. The APD policy also now requires officers to "give explicit verbal commands" prior to firing stun devices. The new four-page MPD policy reflects similar changes as well as raises the level of force on when a stun device can be utilized.

"The adoption of these new policies is an important first step by law enforcement agencies nationwide, and will help the officers within those agencies to determine when the use of these devices is appropriate in order to limit excessive use and abuse of the technology as well as promote public trust," said Stethem. Aegis has advocated adoption of these guidelines and sponsored a recent conference at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies on the uncertainties of stun device use including placement on the force continuum (www.potomacinstitute.org).

"Although the placement of stun devices on the force continuum has yet to be standardized, I believe that these devices should, at the very minimum, be placed within a certain range in the force continuum. The change of policies in Austin and Mesa would confirm that law enforcement agencies now agree with this position. I also believe that independent medical research and testing at all levels should be continued on these devices in order to have them properly assessed and standardized for public safety," concluded Stethem.

Aegis Industries, Inc. is the emerging market leader in the stun industry and specializes in the design and development of intermediate force options for the military, law enforcement, corrections, and the private security industry. You can learn more about Aegis Industries at www.aegispds.com.