Police Officers Go Digital
Video, wireless links give officers access to more data
Miniaturized electronics are giving police officers more access to video information, adding wireless technology to let them control surveillance cameras. But the push to improve productivity with electronics is also moving to an area where some people might prefer slow manual systems: helping police writing traffic citations.
Info-Cop of East Rutherford, NJ is letting officers access data from surveillance cameras, as well as letting them call up relevant maps, floor plans, or other file data. It works with AirVisual Inc.'s IntelliViewer Mobile Command System, which also provides links to other databases.
To help officers view this video data, Digital Ally Inc. of Leawood, KS has developed a rear view mirror assembly that includes a 8.89-cm color display. It's designed to make room for the explosion of electronic gear being used in police cars, integrating a microphone and speaker.
Another new efficiency tool comes from Trimble Navigation Ltd. of Sunnyvale, CA. The GPS supplier is now equipping its ruggedized Recon handheld computer bundled with T-ticket software, which it claims "streamlines and improves the accuracy of the citation process." T-Ticket uses wireless links to access databases that provide information that can be filled in automatically, such as addresses. That link also searches for outstanding tickets or warrants and runs a license plate check.
19-Jan-2006