Aegis Strongly Supports Toledo Police Chief's Call for Independent Study of Stun Devices.

MONTEREY, Calif. -- Aegis Industries strongly supports the announcement made yesterday by Toledo, Ohio Police Chief Mike Navarre asking for an independent study into the safety of stun devices after the January death of a man shocked nine times by authorities. In letters to both the International Association of Police Chiefs (IACP) and the attorney general Chief Navarre asks for independent studies into the safety of stun devices.

Jeffrey Turner, 41, died Jan. 31 after he was shocked five times by Toledo police and four times a few hours later by correction officers at the county jail. Lucas County Sheriff James Telb, whose department is responsible for running the county jail, suspended his department's use of the stun devices after this incident until he receives more results from safety studies. Sheriff Telb is also calling for a policy that will require any individual that has been shocked by a stun device to pass a medical examination at a hospital prior to being booked into the county jail.

"Aegis believes that this incident is another example that clearly demonstrates the need for continued independent medical studies," remarked Kenneth J. Stethem, CEO, Aegis Industries. "This incident reflects numerous uncertainties and gaps in knowledge involving stun devices that have yet to be studied, such as the effect of these devices on an individual under severe stress, while under restraint and shocked numerous times over a short period. It will be very interesting to see how the IACP and the attorney general will respond to Chief Navarre's request."

"The decision by Chief Navarre to call for independent medical studies and Sheriff Telb to suspend his department's use of stun devices demonstrates a rapidly growing trend among police departments," said Stethem. The decisions to review and update their use of force policies regarding the deployment of these devices is also in line with the recommendations suggested by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) (http://www.iacp.org/research/rcdcuttingedgetech.htm).

"The adoption of these new policies and the call for independent medical studies are important first steps by law enforcement agencies nationwide, and will help the officers within these agencies to determine when the use of stun devices is appropriate in order to limit excessive use and abuse of the technology as well as promote public trust," said Stethem. Aegis has been a strong advocate for more independent medical studies and recently sponsored a conference at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies on the uncertainties of stun device use, including placement on the force continuum (www.potomacinstitute.org).

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.