Study of Deaths Following Electro Muscular Disruption

Law enforcement agencies continue to seek alternatives to lethal force and better methods to subdue individuals in order to minimize injuries and death. Less-lethal technologies have been used by law enforcement for this purpose extensively since the early 1990s. As of spring 2010, conducted energy devices (CEDs) causing electro muscular disruption have been procured by more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States. Approximately 260,000 CEDs have been issued to law enforcement officers nationwide. Police adoption has been driven by two major beliefs: first, that CEDs effectively facilitate arrests when suspects actively resist law enforcement; second, that CEDs represent a safer alternative than other use-of-force methods. Studies by law enforcement agencies deploying CEDs have shown reduced injuries to both officers and suspects in use-of-force encounters and reduced use of deadly force. More recently, independent researchers have come to similar conclusions, when appropriate deployment and training policies are in place.