The Police Chief keeps you on the cutting edge of law enforcement technology with monthly product announcements. For free in-depth information, visit http://www.theiacp.org/pubinfo/pc/ and insert the product number on the Reader Response Form (ideal when requesting information from more than one company). Items about new or improved products are based on news releases supplied by manufacturers and distributors; IACP endorsement is in no way implied.

Broadband networking

PacketHop announces its new survivable, mobile mesh broadband solution designed to improve situational awareness and interoperable communications among diverse local, state, and federal public safety agencies. PacketHop delivers scalable networking to mobile devices and computers, providing mission-critical broadband capabilities with survivable, secure connectivity, while reducing or eliminating dependence on fixed infrastructure. The company’s mobile mesh networking technology uses standard Internet protocols, commercially available radios, and existing operating systems.

For more information, click here, and insert number 110 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Card printer

Zebra Technologies, a worldwide leader in bar code labeling and card printing solutions, introduces its new P620 industrial strength card printer for demanding access control, security, and identification applications that require reliable on-premise printing, crisp high-resolution color fidelity, and maximum card security. A patented micropositioning card transport mechanism is designed to provide highly accurate card positioning that lets the P620 precisely print fine details such as ultrasmall text, extremely sharp photo images, special printing effects including covert printing, and gray-on-gray graphics that are especially difficult to copy. The card is transported by a carriage that maintains precise registration throughout the entire process of picking, cleaning, and multi-pass printing, producing nearly perfect color-to-color registration with no slippage or deterioration of print quality over time.

For more information, click here, and insert number 111 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

In-car camera

Martel Electronics announces its new Digital Partner, an in-car video system that also can be used to take digital pictures. The Digital Partner, which is small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand, is designed to be a two-in-one police video system that allows officers to videotape police stops and take digital photos with the same device. The camera is equipped with night vision, image stabilization, and a USB cable for downloading the video directly to a computer to burn CDs for use in court. The system now comes with a permanent visor mount.

For more information, click here, and insert number 112 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Digital forensics journal

Elsevier announces the introduction of Digital Investigation: The International Journal of Digital Forensics and Incident Response. Created for law enforcement, security, and other investigators of cybercrime, the quarterly journal will publish practitioner reports, legal case analysis and updates, tool reviews, and peer-reviewed research on practice, laws and standards, and policy and ethics. The first issue is scheduled to appear March 2004. One subscription to Digital Investigation includes unlimited online access to the journal for all users in the subscriber’s office.

For more information, click here, and insert number 113 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Homeland security certificate

Ohio Dominican University announces a certificate program in homeland security emergence management designed to prepare public safety professionals to protect the nation and its key assets against domestic and international terrorism. This online certificate program focuses on five areas of study: prevention, deterrence, preparedness, response, and consequence management. Students must have a high school diploma or a GED. Ohio Dominican has rolling admissions, which means interested persons can apply anytime.

For more information, click here, and insert number 114 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Anthrax response training video

Emergency Film Group introduces “Response to Anthrax Threats, Version 2.0,” a training film designed to illustrate the correct response to five common scenarios involving anthrax threats: a threat is made but no substance is discovered; an unopened envelope or package is discovered that claims to contain anthrax; an envelope or package is opened that claims to contain anthrax but no suspicious substance is found; an envelope or package is opened that claims to contain anthrax and a suspicious substance is found; and a suspicious substance is found but no threat has been made. The program uses live footage of training exercises to portray the roles of local law enforcement, the FBI, fire departments, hazmat teams, and local health officials.

For more information, click here, and insert number 115 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Fingerprinting system

Atsonic introduces the sweetFinger Solution, its portable wireless fingerprinting system that is designed to help officers identify persons at the scene. The product is designed to allow the user to enroll one to 10 fingerprints, confirm the quality of the prints, add demographic information, compress and encrypt fingerprints, compare the prints to those in an existing fingerprint database, and then receive graded profiles. The system is housed in the company’s ruggedized handheld personal digital assistant and is designed to conduct more than a million searches per minute.

For more information, click here, and insert number 116 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Day-and-night cameras

Sanyo Security Video Products announces two high-performance day-and-night cameras, housed in vandal-proof domes. Designed to deliver simple installation solutions and cost-effective integration with existing security systems, the cameras perform in variable light conditions in a broad range of security applications. Available in two models, surface type or in-ceiling type, the cameras are built to withstand the elements and to protect against tampering. The die-cast aluminum enclosure provides extra durability and meets the IP66 standard for resistance against debilitating water and environmental debris. Tamper-resistant screws prevent the enclosure from being opened with ordinary tools. The camera and electronics are further protected with an impact-resistant polycarbonate dome.

For more information, click here, and insert number 117 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Corrections directory

The American Correctional Association announces the availability of the 2003 Directory of Adult and Juvenile Correctional Departments, Institutions, Agencies, and Probation and Parole Authorities. The directory contains information about U.S. and Canadian provincial, state, and federal correctional systems. It includes names, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone and fax numbers for the wardens and administrators at more than 6,000 adult and juvenile state correctional departments, institutions, programs, and probation and parole services. Facility listings include year opened, capacity, average daily population, security level, offender type, cost of care, and number of employees.

For more information, click here, and insert number 118 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Forensic detection lights

Grace Industries introduces its forensic detection light kit for crime scene investigators with an affordable, portable set of powerful light sources. The kit contains five solid-state lights in a range of colors and beam widths: four Forensic Luminaries in ultraviolet, blue, green, and white, and one ShowOff Lite 700UVW. The Forensic Luminaries feature a Lazor Lens that produces an intense, narrow-focused beam. The attached lanyard slips securely around the user’s wrist; pushbutton activation allows easy one-handed operation. The ShowOff Lite 700UVW features two clusters of three ultraviolet LEDs with a super-bright white spot LED. The ShowOff Lite can stand upright or attach to clothing with its belt clip. Lights are powered by economical alkaline batteries and have no bulbs to replace.

For more information, click here, and insert number 119 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.

Fiber-optic scope

Optim Inc. introduces Bust It, a flexible fiber-optic device designed to help law enforcement officers see into hidden compartments and closed rooms. Once the device’s 5/16-inch distal end is inserted under a door, for instance, the user can observe, with or without illumination, a wide area by remotely flexing its tip 240 degrees in any direction. A camera can be attached to record the scene. The device was created with several police applications in mind: tactical operations, drug searches, rescue operations, and inspections of suspected stolen vehicles.

For more information, click here, and insert number 120 in the box on the Reader Service Number response service.