Aegis Strongly Supports IACP's Strategy for Management of Stun Devices.

MONTEREY, Calif. -- Aegis Industries strongly supports the guidelines set forth in the latest report released by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP, http://www.iacp.org/research/rcdcuttingedgetech.htm). "This report is the 'missing link' between manufacturers and users and one that we have been advocating," said Ken Stethem, CEO, Aegis Industries. The nine-step strategy in the report is simple, but provides law enforcement agencies with a process-oriented approach for the implementation of stun devices into their departments. The IACP report does not focus on the technology, but instead on the management of the technology. "Aegis urges all police agencies to review their policies regarding this technology as well and consider the approach as a national model to hash out concerns and devise in situ process accordingly," said Stethem.

The guidelines recommend a broad understanding of the complex issues regarding stun devices and the uncertainties related to public safety and effective law enforcement. The placement of stun devices on their department's force continuum is a cornerstone for the plan. Considerations for more sensitive populations (e.g., elderly, children), reaches out to growing public concern and media attention regarding stun devices. Further, the guidelines establish medical protocol options following an incident with a stun device, development of comprehensive training programs for officers equipped with stun devices, and implementation of a departmental reporting system to track stun device use.

"The IACP guidelines will help law enforcement agencies, and the officers within those agencies, 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 similar 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). "These guidelines are the first commonsense actions proposed thus far and should be implemented by law enforcement as quickly as possible," Stethem remarked.

"While some law enforcement agencies offer model policies for stun devices, 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. 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.