The Panasonic ToughPad will act as a the motorcycle officer's MDT and will give the officer the capability of running plates, obtaining information on registered owners, checking for warrants, criminal background checks, obtaining officer safety alerts and other additional information without needing to request it over the radio. This improves the safety of the officer with greater access to information on the scene and reduces wait times associated with broadcasting and receiving back radio information. HPD operates its motorcycle unit from April to November each year and the ToughPad will be utilized by the same officer as he transitions to a traffic car for the winter months.
Funding for the grant was provided by a generous gift from The Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation (DDBRCF), a nonprofit organization of volunteer Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins franchisees and Dunkin' Brands employees that ensure the basic needs of the community are being met in areas of hunger relief, children's health, and community safety. In total the DDBRCF has enabled Spirit of Blue to make 17 Safety Equipment Grants throughout New England with a total value of more than $100,000.
"Access to information is a critical officer safety concern," commented Ryan T. Smith, Executive Director of the Spirit of Blue. "An officer needs to know if the person they are contacting has a criminal history, has made threats against police, or is currently wanted. Knowing those things can prepare an officer to be ready in a situation that may turn out to be anything but routine."
Statistics preliminarily released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund show that 26 law enforcement officers have already lost their lives in 2016, an increase of 4% from the prior year. 15 of those deaths were firearm related, a 200% increase over the same period in 2015. The reality of these statistics, and the increasing number of underfunded law enforcement agencies across the country, fuel the Spirit of Blue safety grant initiative.
The Spirit of Blue Foundation actively encourages the public at large to honor and appreciate law enforcement officers who serve to protect our communities. By supporting the Spirit of Blue Foundation, the public can make an impact in the lives of law enforcement officers every day. To learn more about the Spirit of Blue, or make a donation, visit www.spiritofblue.com .
About The Spirit of Blue Foundation
The Spirit of Blue Foundation, based out of Chicago, IL, is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to the enhancement of officer safety and vitality throughout the law enforcement community by promoting public awareness for their protection and fulfilling safety equipment and training needs. The Spirit of Blue Foundation develops and executes fundraising campaigns nationally with the support of partner non-profits, national retailers and safety equipment manufacturers. Fundraising proceeds are distributed in the form of Safety Equipment Grants to law enforcement agencies across the country from local to federal levels. Since 2011 the Foundation has awarded 39 grants valued at over $200,000.