The debate surrounding the use of Tasers by the police is more topical than ever. This has been triggered by a widely viewed video by US comedian and satirist John Oliver. In his show Last Week Tonight, he takes a critical look at the risks and deaths associated with Tasers – weapons that are often described as ‘less lethal’.
The question he raises is: how safe are Tasers really? The answer: not safe enough. In numerous documented cases, they have caused serious injuries or even death. And this problem is by no means limited to the US – in Germany and the Netherlands, too, Tasers are increasingly becoming the focus of public and political debate.
Would you like to use a body cam in the security industry? Let us advise you! ## The myth of the “less lethal” weapon Tasers are often promoted as an alternative to firearms – with the promise of making operations safer. But how much truth is there in this claim?
Amnesty study: The failed Taser test in the Netherlands The Dutch police’s pilot test with the Taser X2 provides a frightening example. In its 2018 report “A Failed Experiment”, Amnesty International came to the following conclusion: * Tasers were used repeatedly against people who were already handcuffed.
-
In many cases, there was no clear legal basis for their use. * There were dangerous cases of misuse – even in non-threatening situations.
-
Police documentation was inadequate. Go directly to the Amnesty report (PDF)
Violence prevention begins before deployment As a technology provider in the field of body-cams and smart deployment documentation, we have a different approach: security must not be based on intimidation. It must be built on trust. Our solutions are not aimed at control through pain – but at prevention through visibility.
Body-Cams create transparency. They promote professional behaviour, protect emergency services from false accusations – and can have a de-escalating effect in many situations. Tasers, on the other hand, are often sold as a promise of technological progress – as a smart solution for critical situations. But reality shows that they shift the boundaries of the use of force – and lower the threshold for their use.
De-escalation levels of the body-cam The de-escalation levels of the body-cam (or body camera) are a proven concept that describes how the visible presence and use of the camera alone can defuse conflict situations – without active intervention.
The process takes place in three stages: * Showing presence with the body camera: Visibly wearing the body camera or verbally indicating its presence can already have a deterrent effect and prevent potential aggressors from further misconduct. Additional indicators such as a patch with the word “Video” increase the visibility and thus the preventive effect of the camera.
-
Indication of imminent recording – activation of the mirror function: If the mere presence of the body camera is not sufficient, officers can activate the mirror function of the front display. This allows the person concerned to see their own behaviour in real time, which makes them aware of the consequences of their actions and often leads to a change in behaviour.
-
Start of body camera recording: If the aggressor does not change their behaviour despite previous measures, the body camera’s recording function is activated. The situation is now documented with images and sound, which not only serves as evidence but also raises the person’s awareness of the seriousness of the situation.
Would you like to use a body camera in the security industry? Let us advise you!