The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference, which was held Oct. 22-26 in Chicago, appeared to focus on officer protection. View this photo gallery for 16 innovative products that caught the attention of POLICE Magazine's reporters. And read our feature, "IACP 2011 Highlights," for 12 more products. Photos by Mark W. Clark.
IACP 2011 In Pictures
To minimize issues of comfort caused by concealable ballistic vests worn under uniforms, Blauer has developed a layering system called ArmorSkin that, when worn together, looks like your uniform shirt even though you're wearing your vest on the outside. You put the ballistic panels from your concealable vest in a Blauer carrier that's made to look like the front of your uniform shirt. Then you place it over a specially made shirt that's smooth under the carrier but has sleeves and a collar that look like your uniform shirt when they peek out from under the vest.
The Pit-Bul from Pacific Scientific is an alternative to often dangerous spike strips. This "portable non-lethal vehicle arresting device" can be folded up for transport and storage, but unfolds to create a speedbump that remotely deploys a net to capture a vehicle tire and stop it from moving. The Pit-Bul allows normal traffic flow until the system is armed, and can be set up again for redeployment in less than 10 minutes. The company will also soon release the Viper, which is a remotely activated portable tire deflation device (a.k.a. spike strip).
The pistol-shaped Thug FindIR from Integrated Tech Systems may be one of the most unsusual and least expensive thermal imaging systems in the law enforcement market. It combines a 1,500-lumen search light, a strobe light, a 100-decibel siren, and a thermal imaging camera. The Thug FindIR also can capture digital video and still pictures.
In addition to recording eight hours of high-definition video and audio with a 71-degree field of view, the new LE-2 from VieVu on-body camera system is facial recognition compatible and can live-stream as it records. It easily clips to a uniform to record evidence for later use in court. The LE-2 requires the Veripatrol software system, which utilizes a Digital Signature process that marks each video with a digital hash certificate to prove that the video has not been altered. If you already have a previous generation VieVu camera, you can easily upgrade to the LE-2 system. It will be available in the first quarter of 2012.
A.L.S. Technologies showed two new less-lethal grenade launchers at IACP, one in 37mm and one in 40mm. The launchers have break-open design for quick loading, a hammer lock to prevent accidental discharge, and collapsible stocks. They also feature Picatinny rails for mounting optics and accessories. A.L.S. says the new launchers are the lightest less-lethal launchers on the market, weighing in at just under four pounds empty.
L.C.O.A. Composites displayed its DeadStop line of police shields at the show. The DeadStop is available in four different lightweight models. The DeadStop Dominator is 48 inches high but weighs less than 17 pounds with viewport. The DeadStop is the lightest NIJ IIIA ballistic shield on the market. It's multi-hit capable and features a fiber-reinforced ambidextrous handle for ease of use and officer comfort.
GeoSuite is a real-time intelligence tool that runs on any Windows-based computer and on numerous mobile devices. Using the software first responders have immediate access to real-time information and historical data on an area. The software works when connectivity is available and when connectivity fails. With no connection, it supplies the user with collected and stored data until connectivity is restored. General Dynamics says that responders can be trained to use the software in 90 minutes.
The FreeLinc FreeMotion 100 Wireless Communication System is now even more discreet. The single-ear tactical headset already looks like a Bluetooth headset, so you can observe and communicate undetected and without the wires. Now you don't need to press the PTT button on the earpiece, which could look suspicious. That's because you can instead use the new remote control that can be placed in your pocket, or even mounted on a sniper's weapon.
The Patrol Witness PWLite is a full-featured digital video solution for public safety vehicles. The system sells for less than $3,000 and offers fanless operation, ultra low power consumption, and encryption from recording to storage to preserve evidence integrity. System highlights include H.264 video compression, user-defined resolution and frame rate, and solid state removable storage. The PWLite can be upgraded to the PW-III system for hands-free wireless upload.
Elbeco's V1 TexTrop External Vest Carrier exactly matches Elbeco's TexTrop uniform shirt for a seamless look. Just put your concealable vest ballistic panels inside this carrier and put it over your regular uniform shirt. You will look professional with the vest on or off. It's available in 17 different sizes to accommodate both male and female vests. Versions to match other Elbeco uniform lines are in the works.
Best known for its handgun grips, Hogue has now launched a knife line in collaboration with renowned custom knife maker Allen Elishewitz. The company is now producing four high-quality tactical folders in addition to a line of fixed-blade models. Blade length on the folders ranges from 3.5 inches to 4 inches. Tanto blades and drop points are available. The knives are made of hardened stainless steel with G10 frames. All of the folders have manual safeties for locking the blades open or closed, ambidextrous thumb studs, and reversible spoon clips.