Taser International disputes CBC/Radio-Canada testing as 'flawed'

December 10, 2008
CBC News

Taser International is responding to moves by several Canadian police agencies to pull some stun guns off the streets for testing following a recent CBC/Radio-Canada investigation into the devices, saying the U.S. laboratory tests commissioned by the CBC and Radio-Canada are "flawed."

Three of the X26 Tasers tested by U.S.-based lab National Technical Systems as part of a CBC/Radio-Canada investigation into the devices. (CBC) In written releases to news agencies, the Arizona-based company says the CBC investigation made scientific errors by failing to spark-test the weapons before firing them, which the company recommends to police officers.

However, Taser International's testing protocol used by CBC doesn't call for a spark test before conducting measurements. In addition, the CBC test found some units still delivering higher current after the equivalent of a spark test.

Taser International is also criticizing the CBC tests over the way the tests replicated electricity moving through a human body, which is measured in ohms.

The CBC tests followed the company's protocol and written instructions from Max Nerham, Taser International's vice-president of research and development. Nerheim advised using a resistance of 250 ohms when testing the Taser. After seeing the CBC test results, the company is saying that resistance should have been 600 ohms.

Statement by Taser International spokesman Peter Holran:
"It is regrettable that false allegations based on scientifically flawed data can create such uncertainty. Taser International stands behind the quality and safety of its products and is prepared to provide the assistance and information necessary to allay any concerns.

Taser International welcomes proper testing of its devices and has provided its factory test protocols to test laboratories in Canada so police agencies can avoid the scientific errors made by the CBC. Using proper test protocols will ensure that going forward decisions are not based on scientifically flawed data such as was presented in the CBC report.

According to the data provided by CBC from its test, ALL 41 Taser devices tested produced energy outputs consistent with the expected outputs published by Taser International. It also is apparent from the data that four devices each produced what can only be explained as an anomaly in peak current during one of six firings — the first firing of each device tested at 250 ohms — most likely the result of the testers failing to spark test the Taser device before the test — a requirement made to all officers and agencies in the training as a check for proper function and to condition electronic components."

The tests, conducted by the U.S.-based lab National Technical Systems, found about 10 per cent produced more electrical current than the weapon's specifications. The malfunctioning Tasers were manufactured before 2005.

This week, municipal police forces in B.C. joined the RCMP in suspending the use of all Tasers bought before Jan. 1, 2006.

Solicitor General John van Dongen said Tuesday the weapons will be tested to ensure that the electrical currents generated are consistent with the manufacturer's specifications.

"We are establishing a provincial standard for both testing and calibration so that we know that all of the equipment that's in service meets the required specifications," he said.

Van Dongen said the government has taken the action in the interest of public and officer safety.

Other police forces make similar moves

Meanwhile, other police jurisdictions across the country are also planning to test the older Tasers in the wake of the CBC/Radio-Canada investigation. Ottawa police are removing some of their Tasers from service and testing others.

The Ottawa police tactical and explosives unit has 32 Tasers, nine of which were manufactured before 2005, confirmed Staff Sgt. Mike Maloney, who is in charge of the unit. All nine older Tasers will be retired and replaced with newer devices.

The rest, all newer units, will be re-tested, even though they met standards in earlier tests, Maloney said. "We're just going to make sure we have the data to show that, yes, these Tasers are working properly."

The Winnipeg Police Service is also planning to remove older Tasers from service.

Police will decide in due course whether older X26 models of the stun guns will be tested and returned to service or new equipment will replace the old ones, a police spokesperson said Wednesday.

Of 191 Tasers in the Winnipeg police arsenal, 41 have serial numbers indicating they are older X26 models — made before 2005.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia's justice department ordered police forces in the province to stop using the older Tasers.

Quebec was the first province to respond to the CBC/Radio-Canada testing.

On Dec. 5, the day after the test results were made public, Quebec's public security minister immediately ordered all police departments to take Tasers older than 2005 off the streets.

Police use of Tasers has generated intense public concern after Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died at Vancouver International Airport more than a year ago. An RCMP officer hit him with a Taser shortly before his death.

The Braidwood Inquiry, which has been looking at the use of Tasers and circumstances surrounding Dziekanski's death, will continue to examine the use of the weapons by municipal police, SkyTrain police, sheriffs and corrections officials in the second phase of the public hearing.

Statement by Taser International spokesman Peter Holran:

"It is regrettable that false allegations based on scientifically flawed data can create such uncertainty. Taser International stands behind the quality and safety of its products and is prepared to provide the assistance and information necessary to allay any concerns.

Taser International welcomes proper testing of its devices and has provided its factory test protocols to test laboratories in Canada so police agencies can avoid the scientific errors made by the CBC. Using proper test protocols will ensure that going forward decisions are not based on scientifically flawed data such as was presented in the CBC report.

According to the data provided by CBC from its test, ALL 41 Taser devices tested produced energy outputs consistent with the expected outputs published by Taser International. It also is apparent from the data that four devices each produced what can only be explained as an anomaly in peak current during one of six firings — the first firing of each device tested at 250 ohms — most likely the result of the testers failing to spark test the Taser device before the test — a requirement made to all officers and agencies in the training as a check for proper function and to condition electronic components."