The Police Chief keeps you on the cutting edge of law enforcement technology with monthly product announcements. Items about new or improved products are based on news releases supplied by manufacturers and distributors; IACP endorsement is in no way implied.

In-car video system

Decatur Electronics announces the launch of Gemini Digital, a ruggedly constructed digital video recording system designed to fit in the overhead area of the Ford Crown Victoria. The Gemini Digital system is supported by the GEM software solution and includes a robust hard drive, a digital video recorder, a 4.75-inch touch-screen monitor, and a Sony camera. Features include an overhead console, a turnkey data management solution, automatic deletion settings that operators control, and PreVu recording for capturing data before the officer knows it’s needed. The system is designed to eliminate tape storage, to store evidence electronically, to automatically delete expired video, to automatically update in-car software with each download of evidence, and to allow users to share video evidence by e-mail.

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Aerial camera platform

Helinet Aviation Services announces the Helinet Cineflex HiDef, a lightweight, gyro-stabilized high-definition aerial camera platform. The product is designed to keep a broadcast-quality image steady even when operators are using maximum zoom. It is also designed to allow an air crew to use the platform to determine whether an object in a suspect’s hand is a handgun or a cell phone while ground personnel review the same images in real time using Helinet’s encrypted live microwave downlink system. The system is 14.5 inches in diameter, weighs 67 pounds, and features a digital servo control system, dual 32-bit proprietary DSP technology, a Sony HDC-F950 camera, and powerful zoom lenses.

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Internet activity tracer

New Technologies, Inc., a leader in the field of computer forensics, announces NTA Stealth, a software application designed to allow parole and other law enforcement officers to identify what Web sites a computer user has accessed and to what e-mail addresses a computer user has sent messages. The NTA Viewer (companion software to NTA Stealth) displays and analyzes the results generated by NTA Stealth, giving investigators a statistical frequency of Internet Web browsing and e-mail activity. NTA Viewer also creates custom reports and allows investigators to click on URLs (that is, Web site addresses) of interest.

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Investigation software

Xanalys announces Investigators’ Desktop, software designed to collect, integrate, analyze, and share investigation information. The software is engineered to allow investigators to gather and organize structured and unstructured information from multiple sources such as phone logs, e-mail messages, word processing documents, invoices, external and internal applications and databases, and Web services. The software helps structure and manage information so phone calls can be automatically linked to people, and addresses to e-mail messages and invoices, tying together many levels of interaction between criminals involved in fraud, terrorism, and other illegal activities.

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Hands-free flashlight

Reliapon Police Products announce the PocketPro, a concealed light source designed to fit into a shirt pocket. Comparable in size to a tube of lip balm but equipped with a super-brilliant LED bulb, PocketPro clips into a pocket, onto a belt, or onto a lapel for hands-free operation. The battery-powered light was designed for use by law enforcement officers and others who require hands-free illumination while taking notes and executing other tasks in poor light. The rotating light arm adjusts up to 90 degrees, and the unit is available in red, white, blue, and green.

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Hand and fingerprint scanner

Smiths Heimann Biometrics announces the L Scan 1000P, a portable hand and fingerprint scanner designed to deliver high-quality images with a resolution of up to 1,000 pixels per inch at high speeds. The live-scanner device is designed to enable intelligence and police organizations worldwide to produce images that capture first- and second-level details such as sweat pores, tiny wrinkles, and fingerprint ridges. The device features solid casing and no moving parts. It is approximately the size of a desktop computer and weighs 35 pounds.

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Hazmat robot

PW Allen Incorporated, a manufacturer of specialized security equipment, announces Defender, an environmentally sealed remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designed to allow configuration with specific sensors for incidents involving potentially chemical, biological, or radiological devices. Defender has a distributed architecture with a digital bi-directional control system designed to allow bomb technicians to use various networked sensors, such as a chemical agent detector and a stethoscope, simultaneously. This design also provides significant stretch potential allowing advancements in sensor technology to be easily integrated into Defender’s capabilities. Operators simply plug and play the robot, driving it from a PC-based control console. Defender has up to five cameras, and the user can view multiple images on screen or switch between them.

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Last message replay software

Nice Systems announces its upgraded last message replay (LMR) application for public safety dispatchers. Nice’s LMR is an integral part of the solution package that comes with Nice’s Wordnet Series 3 and Mirra Series 2 voice recorders. The latest version of LMR is designed to allow users to manage all client applications from one central location, annotate call records to retain critical information, customize individual views to best suit their needs, save and load multiple calls, employ an optional LMR login to provide another layer of security in the absence of a workstation login, limit replay to current shift only to protect critical information, and search by complete or partial channel names in addition to channel numbers.

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Bicycle light battery

Nightsun, maker of high-performance bicycle lights, has introduced a new battery system that is compatible with all Nightsun two- and three-beam lights. The new battery is an 84-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) unit that is being offered as an upgrade option on new systems, or as a replacement retrofit for all Nightsun 2 or 3 beam systems currently in use. Included with the Li-Ion battery package is a boost regulator designed to provide constant, steady, whiter, and brighter light output. An overnight plug-and-forget charger is also included. This new Li-Ion battery package offers longer runtime, up to seven hours, about twice as long as our highest capacity nickel-cadmium battery.

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Farm chemical security device

Castell Interlocks announces the NH3 Amo-Lock, a security device designed to prevent the theft of anhydrous ammonia, which is used to make methamphetamine, from farms and fertilizer depots. The device fits on a storage tank’s withdrawal valve to secure the contents in a field, at a fertilizer dealer, or in transit. Operation of the NH3 Amo-Lock is designed not to require climbing onto the tank to install a cover or padlock. The operating key (valve handwheel) can only be removed when the valve is fully closed.

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Handheld GPS devices

Thales Navigation introduces the Magellan eXplorist series, three handheld GPS navigation devices designed to provide precise position fixes within three meters. Magellan’s one-button access takes users directly to the most important functions: the menu, navigation screens, personal points-of-interest storage, “go to” routing, and the backlight. Each model stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and multiple track logs with up to 2,000 points each. Units come in bright blue, orange, and yellow exteriors and feature 2.3-inch diagonal LCD displays.

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Mobile command post

Halcyon Products announces its mobile command post, designed for use in emergency situations where the police officer in charge of an incident requires a mobile work area. Features included in the mobile command post are whiteboard and magnet board for easy diagramming of the scene; a work area large enough for a laptop and writing surface; a large compartment for storing files, communications equipment, and other emergency field items; a wheel assembly for easy portability to the incident scene; and a sturdy leg system for setting up the unit wherever required.

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Battery selector for emergency vehicles

The Cole Hersee Company, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty electrical and electronic products for the vehicle industry, offers the M-750, a series of six- to 36-volt battery selector and master disconnect switches for emergency vehicles. UL-listed and -labeled, the M-750 series switches can be surface-mounted or installed through a panel and are designed to work in all types of emergency vehicles using two batteries. The M-750 series switches are designed to deliver backup starting power in an emergency, to enable two batteries to power independent loads, and to allow those batteries to be selectively charged. The switches operate as an emergency shut down, protecting against electrical fires, tampering, theft, and battery drain when the vehicle is unattended.

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In-pavement light

The Traffic Safety Corporation announces the TS600, a fully flush directional in-pavement light developed especially for use in snow areas. It is designed to sit 0.00 inches above grade and to prevent no obstacle to snowplows, cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The fixture features a self-cleaning design that keeps the lens free of dirt and debris. The T600s are appropriate for dynamic traffic management systems in school zones, in work zones, on onramps, and at railroad crossings warning systems.

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Motorcycle antilock brakes

Harley-Davidson announces an optional antilock braking system (ABS) on three police motorcycle models in the 2005 model year. The ABS is designed to give motor patrol officers maximal braking effect without wheel lockup in all-weather emergency situations, especially on slick roads. The system retains traditional independent front and rear wheel braking control. The Harley-Davidson ABS will be offered on the FLHTPI Electra Glide and FLHPI Road King police models, and on the California FLHPEI Escort model. The system will not be offered with Harley-Davidson Police Sidecar installations and will not be available on the XLH Sportster 883 police model. Also new for 2005, Peace Officer Special Edition motorcycles will feature updated tank graphics.

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Firearm tether

Hammerhead Industries announces the latest additions to its Gear Keeper line: retracting tethers for firearms. Designed to help officer prevent loss of their weapons during tactical situations, the tethers are spring-loaded self-retracting security systems for both sidearms and shoulder arms. The sidearm tether comes in two models, low force (with just three ounces of retraction power) and high force (24 ounces). Both models mount to the wearer’s duty belt ands feature a quick-disconnect system for fast detachment when needed.

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Bollards

URBACO, a market leader in access control systems, announces its line of hydraulic retractable bollards, short posts set at intervals to exclude vehicles from high-security areas. Designed to protect strategic sites against ramming, these high-security bollards are designed to withstand the impact of a seven-ton truck moving at 30 miles per hour. Bollards can be up to up to 35 inches high and are wrapped in steel covers. A large part of the bollard is firmly held by the jacketed assembly of two cover pieces, totaling nearly 12 inches. Installation requires minimal space below ground level.

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Computer evidence recovery device

Logicube introduces the Forensic MD5, a computer evidence recovery device engineered to meet law enforcement agencies’ exacting standards. This high-speed hardware-based, data acquisition system runs at three gigabytes per minute, simultaneously capturing, imaging, verifying, and keyword-searching data at full speed. The MD5 is designed to ensure that court-validated processes are followed each and every time. The system’s unidirectional, non-tampering drive-capture ensures exact bit-for-bit duplication and verification of data including deleted files, hidden files, and file slack. To ensure that the user cannot overwrite or corrupt the suspect’s drive, the system copies only from an external source.

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Handheld thermal imager

Bullard introduces Tacsight, a handheld thermal imager engineered for all major law enforcement applications: tactical, patrol, surveillance, investigation, and search and rescue. Designed for simple operation and optimal flexibility, this expandable product allows law enforcement to configure a tool specifically to meet their individual requirements. Optional accessories include a fully integrated wireless transmitter, a receiver package for monitoring and recording, a vehicle mount system for recharging, a display control switch to minimize illumination of the operator, an attachable monocular eyepiece, and a handheld receiver for remote monitoring.

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