Taser Video System Could Provide New Evidence for Police Brutality Lawsuits

A new portable video recorder system for police being developed by Taser International, Inc. could provide crucial evidence for police brutality lawsuits, either supporting a plaintiff’s claim or providing clear evidence that justifies the police conduct.

Taser International, known primarily for its stun guns that deliver an electric shock to incapacitate suspects, announced last month that they have begun testing a new video recording system that could be worn on a headband by police. The system, called Axon, would work like those inside of police cars and record encounters between police officers and suspects. Taser estimates that the system will be available for sale by early 2010.

The company announced the new Axon system at the end of July, on the same day they rolled out their newest model Taser gun, the X3, which can shock three people without being reloaded. Older Taser weapons must be reloaded after each use.

The recording system would link into Taser’s new Evidence.com system, which stores crime scene video for police departments. The video system would provide clear and accurate evidence of disputed incidents, which may be of assistance in police misconduct lawsuits and potential product liability lawsuits against Taser involving the use of their weapons.

Taser International says that it believes the system will help it reduce its legal fees by scaring away potential litigants who make false accusations against the company, claiming that Taser weapons are dangerous. A number of Taser lawsuits have been filed against the company and different police departments across the United States.

Taser International has been largely successful in having themselves dismissed from such claims. This month, Taser announced that they have been dismissed as a defendant in at least three wrongful death police lawsuits, including cases pending in California, Florida and Nevada.