Technology tends to be the emphasis of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference. True to form, many of the coolest products at this year's show, held Sep. 29–Oct. 3 in San Diego, focused on the now high-tech aspects of evidence collection. Multiple companies debuted new and improved takes on video, drug analysis, and biometrics. Plenty of new tablets were also on hand. The following is a quick look at some of the products at IACP 2012 that caught our attention. Photos: Mark W. Clark, Paul Clinton, Stalker Radar, Thermo Scientific, and Ti Training
IACP 2012: Best of Show
CopTrax in-car video from Stalker Radar is software-based, so no DVR is needed. It runs off of any laptop and automatically uploads video to the system's cloud servers. It requires minimal additional hardware: high-definition camera, GPS antenna, and rear seat camera. AVL and GPS are included, with no monthly fee. The system also fully integrates with Stalker radar. The proprietary CopTrax application, written on Microsoft Azure’s Web app platform, runs like any other Windows program. CopTrax can be minimized and run in the background until a pre-set trigger event (siren, lights, etc.) initiates a switch from Patrol Mode to Incident Mode.&
The TASER Trainer works with TASER X2 and X26 models, features wireless keypads, and offers branching high-definition scenarios. It plugs and plays and requires no special room or special screen. Ti Training says the simulator is an excellent tool for teaching TASER deployment policies and procedures, and it is particularly useful for helping officers transition from the X26 to the new X2 model TASER.
Digital Ally showed two new products at IACP. Its FirstVuHD is a 720p HD version of its officer-worn video. It’s lighter with a longer battery life and HD resolution, and features a wide angle of view, enhanced night recording, secure mounting options, and more than 16 hours of record time at the highest quality setting. The company’s new DV-400 UltraVu is a compact video system that combines the controller and DVR in one 3.5-inch monitor and can be used on a motorcycle or even an ATV or boat.
The Lex 700 from Motorola is a rugged Android smartphone designed specifically for mission critical public safety operations. It connects on Band 14 Public Safety LTE as well as commercial 4G networks and Wi-Fi systems. Motorola says the new smartphone is an excellent partner for its portable radio systems, as it supplies officers in the field with Mobile CAD, e-citation tools, dynamic mapping and navigation, streaming video intelligence, and e-mail and Web access.
LEID's BACS Evidence Management System uses biometrics in the form of a fingerprint to manage evidence access via a simple touchscreen kiosk. It includes LEID's Electronic Evidence Lockers and BACS Evidence Management ID Station Kiosk. The system allows an agency to access and track all evidence moving into and out of the property room for a better chain of custody, increased accuracy in reporting, and time savings. Property room managers also have remote management capabilities to access, monitor, and manage the system while off site. Options include hand geometry scanner, ID card reader, RFID evidence reader, and evidence barcode reader.
If your agency is seeing a rise in cases involving synthetic drugs, you may want to invest in a testing kit from MMC America. Products available include a synthetic cannabanoids kit that can identify K2, K3, Spice, and other marijuana substitutes, and a synthetic cathinones test that can determine the presence of such compounds as "bath salts."
Man & Machine's rugged wipeable keyboards can be spilled on and wiped down with sanitizer because they're completely sealed. This means not only can you clean up coffee splashes and crumbs, you can also prevent the spread of germs between officers who share cars. The USB keyboards also feature adjustable back lighting, a touchpad, and silent, non-click keys. The company is working on developing a Bluetooth model.
Blauer entered the law enforcement footwear market in a big way with its debut of boots defined by their snowboarding influenced “lacing” system. Instead of using traditional shoelaces and a side zipper, these boots use criss-crossed braided stainless steel cable and a dial that you pop open to release tension, and then turn to adjust the tension and close the boot. This lightweight footwear also features a hybrid tread pattern, a rounded heel for driving, and a full-grain polishable toe. It’s expected to be available in the Spring in several versions, with an insulated version following in the Fall.
Hostage rescue team members designed the Swedish Entry Tools (S.E.T.) breaching system to meet the needs of public safety personnel. The entire mechanical breaching system is now available exclusively from 5.11 Tactical. Designed for mechanical and hydraulic door breaching training, the line’s MultiPurpose Training Door has 4mm side wall hollow steel tube construction for durability and repeated use. It provides realistic training on outward and inward doors; wooden, security, and fire doors; and a wide variation of locking points, steel bolt locking mechanisms, and ram striking surfaces.
ReconRobotic says the Throwbot LE is the "world's most affordable police robot." The Throwbot sells for about $5,000 and leasing programs are available. This tiny robot literally can be thrown as much as 50 feet horizontally and will survive a 15-foot drop; it weighs a mere 1.1 pounds, makes very little noise during operation, and transmits video up to 100 feet indoors and up to 300 feet outdoors. ReconRobotics says the Throwbot LE is particularly useful during welfare checks, domestic disturbances, shots fired incidents, and barricade situations.
StopTech is well known for its Stop Sticks. The company's new creation, developed in partnership with Pacific Scientific, is a remote deployment kit that keeps officers safer because they never need get near the road. Instead, the officer places a 24.5-pound case loaded with a folded Stop Stick device nearby. Press the button on the remote control, and a blank launches the Stop Stick, with an attached long, heavy bean bag exiting first to pull the device across the road and straighten it out. The entire case can be carried in the trunk of a cruiser.
CopSync is known for its real-time information-sharing network of the same name. Building on this legacy, VidTac is a software-driven in-car video system that uses the power of existing in-car computers. No digital video recorder is needed for video recording, processing, and storage. Its small twin-lens camera system positioned in the windshield captures both full-motion 1080p HD video and high-resolution 5-megapixel still images. The CEO says VidTac can capture a clear plate image at 50 feet with its video and as far away as 75 feet with its still camera. VidTac records and stores more than 100 hours of evidentiary video, depending on the selected
Elbeco has expanded its V Series to include an undervest shirt and internal suspension system to complement the V1 External Vest Carrier that looks like part of an officer’s uniform. The areas of the UV1 undervest shirt that are visible while wearing the vest look just like a uniform shirt. What’s hidden underneath the vest is made of Ufx performance fabric and has underarm micro mesh vents. Elbeco also introduced a body armor suspension system for its over-the-uniform ballistic vest carrier at the show.
Panasonic's WVTW310 wearable camera provides extremely wide angle views for clear video evidence that can easily be seen in court, should the need arise. It features a recording capacity of up to 32 hours using H.264 compression and a battery life of approximately five hours in pre-event continuous record mode. The camera is optimized for both day and night usage. Video image data on the camera can be automatically uploaded to a PC via the conversion box, and Viewer software allows the wide angle original video to be played back with stabilization and image distortion correction while maintaining the evidence integrity of the original file.
The 2012 IACP Conference showcased plenty of cool gear for officers.
Thermo Scientific's TruNarc synthetic drug analyzer is a lightweight portable device that uses a laser to identify a substance through plastic or glass. That means an officer never needs to touch the substance in question, reducing exposure and preserving evidence. This handheld Raman analyzer captures all scan results, including time and date stamp, and automatically uploads the information to the agency's server via the officer's synced laptop. Thermo Scientific constantly updates its software library to keep on top of new drugs such as "bath salts" variations.
Gear Ties from NiteIze are stiff reuseable, bendable rubber twist ties that can be used for all sorts of things. The ties come in different sizes and colors to suit your preference. They could be used to hold cables or gear together. Or bend one at right angles and position it in such a way to serve as a stand for your smartphone on your desk. Then bend it again and use it to tie the phone to the vent in your car for secure, easy access.
MorphoTrak showed two new products for capturing biometric information from suspects: the Morpho FieldKit and the Applicant and Booking LiveScan. The Morpho FieldKit captures fingerprints and iris scans, and it also stores photos, signatures, iris captures, and fingerprints for analysis in the field. Data captured can be submitted electronically via a secure wireless network. The Applicant and Booking LiveScan is a fixed piece of equipment for use in corrections and holding facilities. It captures fingerprints, palmprints, mugshots, iris scans, signatures, scars, tattoos; and scans documents such as ID cards, driver licenses, and passports.