The Man Who Changed Policing In America
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this compelling episode of Core Memory, host Ashley Vance sits down with Rick Smith, co-founder and CEO of Axon (formerly TASER International), for a deep dive into one of the most controversial yet impactful technology companies in America. Smith shares the remarkable journey from a 23-year-old Harvard neurobiology graduate who showed up on an inventor's doorstep to building a multi-billion dollar company that fundamentally changed policing. (00:56) The conversation covers everything from the scientific challenges of creating less-lethal weapons to the ethical complexities of surveillance technology, with Smith demonstrating the kind of radical transparency that has defined his leadership approach.
- Main Theme: The evolution of police technology through the lens of a mission-driven entrepreneur who has spent 30+ years trying to reduce gun violence while navigating intense public scrutiny and controversy.
Speakers
Rick Smith
Co-founder and CEO of Axon, Rick Smith has dedicated over 30 years of his professional life to creating alternatives to lethal force in policing. A Harvard neurobiology graduate, Smith started the company at age 23 and has built it into a multi-billion dollar enterprise that dominates the less-lethal weapons market and police body camera industry. Known for his radical transparency approach, he has voluntarily been tasered eight times and conducted seven Reddit AMAs to address public concerns about his company's products.
Ashley Vance
Host of the Core Memory podcast and accomplished technology journalist, Vance is known for his in-depth reporting on innovative companies and breakthrough technologies. His journalistic approach combines technical understanding with compelling storytelling, making complex business and technology topics accessible to broad audiences.
Key Takeaways
Focus Relentlessly on Your Core Mission, Not Just Revenue
Smith learned this lesson the hard way with the "Auto TASER" - a steering wheel lock that would shock car thieves. (12:32) Despite generating significant trade show buzz, the product failed commercially because the team wasn't passionate about car security. Smith emphasizes that when entrepreneurs chase money rather than solving problems they genuinely care about, "the universe slaps you." This experience taught him to only pursue products aligned with their core mission of creating alternatives to guns, leading to the breakthrough M26 TASER that saved the company.
Sometimes You Must Disrupt Yourself to Stay Relevant
After decades of engineering around federal firearm regulations, Axon made the bold decision to accept firearm classification for their TASER 10 to achieve true effectiveness. (20:00) This meant potentially being valued like a traditional weapons manufacturer rather than a tech company, but Smith convinced his board it was necessary to create a genuine alternative to lethal force. The lesson: breakthrough innovation sometimes requires abandoning sacred cows and accepting short-term risks for long-term mission success.
Build Products Through Direct Customer Feedback, Not Assumptions
When developing the TASER 10's single-dart firing system, customers initially hated the concept, preferring the traditional two-dart approach. (22:14) However, when Axon created prototypes for hands-on testing, officers immediately recognized the superior usability. Smith notes that people can't accurately judge innovations until they experience them firsthand. This reinforces the importance of building testable prototypes rather than relying solely on customer interviews or surveys.
Transparency and Engagement Trump Avoidance in Crisis Management
Rather than hiding from criticism, Smith has embraced radical transparency, conducting seven Reddit AMAs and creating a podcast to tell Axon's stories directly. (43:36) When faced with intense scrutiny from media like John Oliver's show, Smith's approach is to step directly into controversy while maintaining authenticity. He believes this "superpower" of engaging with critics head-on, even when it results in negative press and stock volatility, ultimately builds stronger long-term credibility than defensive corporate communication.
Design Safety and Ethics Into Technology From the Ground Up
Smith's vision for TASER-equipped drones includes multiple approval layers, human rights officers, and institutional decision-making to prevent abuse. (73:55) Rather than building technology and hoping it's used ethically, he advocates for designing safeguards directly into the product architecture. This approach of "earning the right" to deploy powerful technology through built-in safety mechanisms offers a framework for any company developing potentially controversial innovations.
Statistics & Facts
- Axon generates between $2-3 billion in annual revenue and has reached market capitalization peaks around $60 billion, making it one of the most valuable companies most people haven't heard of. (17:23)
- The company has been sued approximately 400 times over TASER-related incidents but has won all but one or two cases, demonstrating their legal strategy of fighting rather than settling claims. (53:55)
- Axon operates one of the world's largest video libraries, comparable to YouTube in storage capacity, with around one million police officers worldwide uploading approximately two hours of video per shift to their evidence.com platform. (39:34)
