LAS VEGAS, and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec.
7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Use-of-force complaints fell
dramatically at the Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) after the agency deployed
Axon (Nasdaq: AAXN) body-worn cameras, a recent independent study
revealed. The study, conducted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and CNA, a non-profit research and analysis
organization, also found that the implementation of body cameras
resulted in a decrease in police misconduct. The full study can be
found here:
https://www.cna.org/cna_files/pdf/IRM-2017-U-016112-Final.pdf.
The year-long study, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice,
began in 2014 and concluded in 2015. The study evaluated 416
officers, 218 of whom donned Axon body cameras. Researchers
unveiled the following significant findings:
- A 37% reduction in use-of-force complaints against officers
wearing body-worn cameras
- A 4% increase in use-of-force complaints against officers not
wearing body-worn cameras
- An 8% increase in citations issued by officers wearing
body-worn cameras
- A 6% increase in arrests made by officers wearing body-worn
cameras
Researchers also performed a cost-benefit analysis and found
that body-worn cameras could ultimately save LVMPD up to
$4 million per year in legal
fees.
"The results of this study by UNLV
validate what we have been seeing all along – the body-worn camera
has taken an out-of-focus picture and made it clear," says
Clark County, Nevada Sheriff
Joseph Lombardo. "While some
officers initially feared the devices would be intrusive, many now
embrace the technology because video can prove or disprove accounts
by arrestees and witnesses."
"We're thrilled that body cameras continue to be studied and
that researchers are discovering positive effects for both the
public and police officers," says Axon CEO and founder Rick Smith. "The cost benefits brought to light
in this study have a tremendous impact on agencies and the
communities they serve. Saving money on legal fees ultimately leads
to more officers being on the street. Benefits like these are
exactly why we are working so hard to develop the next generation
of police technology."
To date, LVMPD has purchased about 2,000 Axon body-worn cameras,
which upload video to Axon's cloud-based digital evidence
management solution, Evidence.com. The Axon network integrates
hardware and software to make it easy for agencies to manage the
high volumes of officer video that is generated daily.
About Axon
The Axon network is a network of devices, apps and people that
helps law enforcement become smarter and safer. Our mission is to
protect life. Our technologies give law enforcement the confidence,
focus, and time they need to keep their communities safe. Our
products impact every aspect of an officer's day-to-day
experience:
- In the field - Our Smart Weapons offer a less-lethal
intermediate use of force response and our body-worn and in-car
cameras collect video evidence to capture the truth of an incident;
and our mobile applications enable simple evidence collection.
- At the station - Our secure, cloud-based digital
evidence management solution allows officers and command staff to
manage, review, share, and process digital evidence using forensic,
redaction, transcription, and other tools.
- In the courtroom - Our solutions for prosecutors make
collaborating across jurisdictions and agencies easy so that cases
can be resolved quickly.
We work hard for those who put themselves in harm's way for all
of us. To date, there are more than 187,400 licensed users from
around the world and more than 192,000 lives and countless dollars
have been saved with the Axon network of devices, apps and people.
Learn more at www.axon.com or by calling (800) 978-2737.
Axon, the "Axon Delta" logo, Axon network, Smart Weapons,
Evidence.com, and 'Protect Life' are trademarks of Axon Enterprise,
Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and other countries.
For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights
reserved.
Follow Axon here:
- Axon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/axon_us
- Axon on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/
Note to Investors
Please visit http://investor.axon.com,
https://www.axon.com/press, www.twitter.com/axon_us and
https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/ where Axon discloses
information about the company, its financial information, and its
business.
Visit our Investor Relations Safe Harbor Statement at:
http://investor.axon.com/safeHarbor.cfm
For investor relations information please contact Andrea James via email at IR@axon.com.
CONTACT:
Sydney Siegmeth
VP Communications
Press@axon.com
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-body-worn-cameras-less-use-of-force-study-reveals-compelling-correlation-300568324.html
SOURCE Axon