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Steve Ashley | From the January 2007 Issue Sunday, December 31, 2006

GALLERIES

Must-Sees from IACP 2006

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This past October, the 113th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference was held in Boston, and as usual, the vendor exhibition was both breathtaking and overwhelming. If you’ve ever attended, you know what I’m talking about; if you haven’t, make plans to go next year. All officers with valid law enforcement identification may enter the exhibition floor.

This exhibit is the world’s largest law enforcement technology marketplace. Companies showcase their classic products, and many unveil their newest products, making it the place to discover what’s in store for law enforcement technology. The vendor exhibition runs three days during the conference, which never allows enough time to see everything and talk to everyone you hope to.

I’ll share my list of some of this year’s most interesting and innovative products, but I hope to see you at the 114th IACP Conference in New Orleans, Oct. 13-17, so you can experience the latest technology for yourself. In the meantime, stay safe, and wear your vest.

Please click on the gallery to the right to see these great products.

Must-Sees from IACP 2006

General Dynamics Mobile Tactical Trailer

General Dynamics’ Mobile Tactical Trainer (MTT) is constructed of several units similar to big, commercial shipping containers you can stack or move to configure almost any shoot-house scenario. The corrugated, rectangular metal boxes can stack three high, and they feature internal movable staircases, door and windows. Trainees use simulation rounds instead of live ammunition, and you can equip the unit with many different target options. The MTT incorporates video cameras throughout, and the feeds run into a separate box that houses the computer and video-control room, as well as a debriefing classroom with a projection system. Observers can watch the action live, or participants can sit through a critique and debriefing in a comfortable, climate-controlled environment. If your department seeks a way to train for critical interdiction missions while maintaining flexibility, the award-winning MTT might be just what your tactical team needs. General Dynamics 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Ste. 100 Falls Church, VA 22042-4513 E-mail: wm4gd@gendyn.com Web: generaldynamics.com Tel: 703/876-3000 Fax: 703/876-3125

TASER Cam

Last year TASER International displayed its TASER Cam, but this year’s show was most chiefs’ first opportunity to see the unit. Those who did were wowed. This image-and-sound-capture device records an individual being TASERed. Similar to a gun cam, the unit activates when the TASER safety switch is in Fire position and remains running until you switch the safety lever off. The camera and microphone are housed in the bottom of a replacement battery pack that fits into the butt of an X-26 TASER (TASER Cam is not available for the M-26). Picture an oversized version of a pistol magazine with a curved baseplate. The TASER Cam battery pack actually replaces the TASER’s existing DPM (Digital Power Magazine). When the DPM is removed and the TASER Cam module is inserted for the first time, the TASER’s internal software is automatically updated. After about 90 minutes of audio/video record time, the data begins over-writing the beginning of the recording, in a loop. There’s no way to delete the data from the TASER Cam, but operators can download it to a PC. The video synchronizes with the firing data to maintain a record of the incident. Images are captured at 10 frames per second, in black and white, to better capture detail in low light. The unit’s infrared emitter, located next to the camera lens, engages automatically if the light level drops, capturing a surprisingly good image. TASER Cam’s battery is rechargeable, where the original X-26 DPM was not. The unit comes with an AC charger, a download cable and necessary software. TASER International, Inc. 17800 N. 85th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85255-9603 E-mail: taser@taser.com Web: www.taser.com Tel: 800/978-2737 Fax: 480/991-0791

Panasonic Toughbook 30

Toughbook notebook computers boast a reputation for withstanding rough going; the new Toughbook 30 is no exception. Its magnesium-alloy body is tested to MIL-STD-810F, every port and connector features a sealed cover, the hard drive is shock mounted and the unit is dust and moisture resistant. And this machine is loaded: Bluetooth, wireless a/b/g, active-matrix screen, fingerprint security scanner, GPS receiver and more. The Toughbook 30 weighs only 8.2 lbs., including the battery and an external floppy drive. However, it’s kind of clunky looking, and machines like this tend to be expensive. Panasonic Corporation of North America One Panasonic Way Secaucus, NJ 07094 Email: toughbook_sales_support @us.panasonic.com Web: www.panasonic.com/toughbook Tel: 800/662-3537

DSM Dyneema SB-61

Dyneema, a super-strong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength and minimum weight, has been used in police body armor for more than 15 years. The company’s next-generation product, SB-61, is lighter, stronger and more flexible than its predecessor. Fibers are laid side by side (think of a bunch of pencils on a level surface), allowing ballistic energy from a hit to travel out along the lengths of the fibers to provide better energy dissipation. Fabric layers are overlapped into a “sandwich” and become the actual fabric placed into body armor panels. Sometimes the fabric is pressed into enhanced-small-arms-protective-insert (ESAPI) plates for hardened armor. SB-61 underwent internal and external testing to confirm it offers greater stopping power, and it successfully passed accelerated aging tests at increased temperatures and humidity (detailed testing results are available on the DSM Dyneema Web site). The first body armor manufacturer to use SB-61 is American Body Armor, which will incorporate the fabric into its FUZION line. DSM Dyneema P.O. Box 6500 6401 JH Heerlen The Netherlands Email: info.dyneema@dsm.com Web: www.dyneema.com Tel: +31 45/578-8111 Fax: +31 45/571-9753

Stinger S-200

Stinger Systems’ new S-200 Dart Projection Stun Gun uses a traditional two-dart profile and is smaller and lighter than the company’s S-400 model, making it easier for officers to carry on their belts. Rather than incorporating a toggle-lever safety, the S-200 uses a recessed bolt safety reminiscent of the crossbolt safety on so many police pump shotguns. An ambidextrous cartridge-eject button located immediately in front of the trigger guard enables officers to eject a fired cartridge with one hand while procuring a second cartridge with the other, very much like ejecting a spent magazine from a pistol. Cartridges are reversible and fully recessed inside the weapon housing, making them less likely to fall off or become dislodged in a holster, according to the manufacturer. The S-200 comes with two cartridges, a holster, a hard-shell case, datacapture software and four batteries. Stinger Systems 2701 North Rocky Point Drive, Ste.1130 Tampa, FL 33607 E-mail: sales@stingersystems.com Web: www.stingersystems.com Tel: 866/788-6746 Fax: 813/288-9148

StarChase Tagging & Tracking System

The StarChase, currently being field tested by the LAPD and the Florida Highway Patrol, is a pursuit-management system that, once commercially available, will provide one more tool to reduce the risks of vehicle chases. The system is composed of a dual-barrel launcher mounted in the grill of a police vehicle. When an officer makes a traffic stop, they use a keypad in the car to aim a laser targeting system at the suspect vehicle. If the vehicle flees, the officer can fire the StarChase system from inside the vehicle, or with a remote trigger from outside the vehicle. Once fired, the dual-barreled unit uses compressed air to propel a cartridge at less-than-lethal velocity. The cartridge, about the size of a 37mm gas projectile and flat on each end, contains a GPS transmitter and receiver, as well as a battery. The cartridge adheres to the fleeing vehicle, which you can then track via GPS with the results reported to police dispatch through a secure Internet portal. The path of the fleeing vehicle is displayed in dispatch on a digital map. Once a vehicle is tagged and tracked, officers can back off the chase. The path of the pursuit, as well as speed information, is recorded by the system for future use in court. The StarChase system should be available for purchase during the first half of 2007. StarChase P.O. Box 10057 Virginia Beach, VA 23450 E-mail: tfischbach@starchase.org Web: www.starchase.org Tel: 201/377-2398

Mace Pepper Gel

Mace Personal Defense’s new nonflammable Pepper Gel contains the same oleoresin capsicum (OC) concentrations as other Mace products. The new gel form sprays farther and adheres better to targets, however. And although it’s similar to the foam form of OC delivery, Pepper Gel is less runny than foam, and it clings more closely to the subject’s skin. Pepper Gel reduces cross-contamination and emphasizes the effects to eyes and skin rather than the respiratory system, making it less likely to interfere with an individual’s breathing. Pepper Gel uses a 10 percent solution of 1.4-percent capsaicinoids for maximum effect. Mace Personal Defense 160 Benmont Avenue, Ste. 1 Bennington, VT 05201 Web: www.macebrand.com Tel: 800/255-2634

Panasonic Arbitrator CP

The Arbitrator CP is a rugged, mobile digital video system you can use with a Toughbook laptop or as a standalone system. As with most in-car video systems, the camera and the wireless receiver mount up front, and you can mount the recorder in the front console or in the vehicle’s trunk. The unit captures exceptional digital video and writes (records) it to a 4GB memory card, which holds 16 hours of video (the system holds two cards, for a total of 32 hours recording time). You can download the content of the reusable card to a PC. As with Toughbook laptops, the Arbitrator is heat, dust and vibration resistant. It features a magnesium alloy case and a heavy-duty, vibration-resistant camera mount. The unit comes with a wireless microphone system and is infrared-capable. The solid-state recording deck uses PC cards rather than disks or tape, so there are no moving parts. Of course, the recording deck uses a key lock to protect the integrity of the PC cards. Panasonic Corporation of North America One Panasonic Way Secaucus, NJ 07094 E-mail: toughbook_sales_support@us.panasonic.com Web: www.panasonic.com/toughbook/arbitrator Tel: 800/662-3537

LaserMax J-Max & Uni-Max

LaserMax is well known for its line of laser-sighting devices incorporated into replacement pistol recoil-spring guides. The fact these devices are internal and do not change a pistol’s profile is one advantage of this particular brand. However, because of their design, LaserMax sights have only been available for pistols; revolvers don’t feature recoil spring guides. LaserMax’s new laser-sighting system, the J-Max, works with one revolver widely used by law enforcement personnel: the J-Frame revolver. Picture a set of rubber combat grips with a flat plate attached to the top of the right-side grip, extending to the level of the top-strap. The laser module is mounted at the top of this plate, essentially next to the hammer. The laser activation switches are ambidextrous and located near the top of the forward portion of the combat grips. This setup offers two advantages: Laser placement minimizes parallax (a targeting problem that arises when the bore axis is different than the laser axis), and the laser module’s high placement on the weapon avoids interference from the shooter’s trigger/index finger when it is placed along the frame (indexed) outside the trigger guard. The grips are comfortable, and the presence of the laser module and its mounting plate are unobtrusive. Built-in storage houses spare batteries and the laser “alignment tool” inside the grips. LaserMax also features the Uni-Max, a “stackable” laser system that mounts externally onto either Picatinny- or Weaver-style rails. Uni-Max is stackable because the laser module includes its own set of rails, so users can mount a flashlight or any rail-mounted accessory below the Uni-Max. Both the J-Max and the Uni-Max use Type 357 batteries and offer either high visibility pulsing or continuous wave (constant-on) laser beams. Both devices maintain sighting zero after battery changes and feature wind-age and elevation adjustment settings. LaserMax 3495 Winton Place, Bldg. B Rochester, NY 14623 Web: www.lasermax.com Tel: 800/527-3703 Fax: 585/272-5427

Havis-Shields Kwik-Kit

Havis-Shields introduced its new Kwik-Kit, a safe and secure prisoner transport system that is, in effect, a big metal box that slides into a van. It features three separate compartments: two capable of holding several prisoners, and one maximum-security compartment accessed through the van’s side door. The unit provides grab straps for prisoners to grasp while their hands are cuffed behind them. (Seatbelts are less practical due to the layout of the unit, but they are available as an option.) The bench seats, the floor and the slide-out and fold-down steps feature a nonskid surface. The system offers intercom and video monitoring capability, and features all-aluminum construction with heavy-duty Slam Latch doors. A white, powder finish simplifies cleaning. Each compartment features an emergency exit hatch, and there are no sharp edges or protruding hardware. Havis-Shields Equipment Corporation 75 Jacksonville Road P.O. Box 2099 Warminster, PA 18974 E-mail: sales@havis.com Web: www.havis.com Tel: 800/524-9900 Fax: 215/957-0729

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Must-Sees from IACP

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GALLERIES

Must-Sees from IACP 2006

FEATURED IN INDUSTRY NEWS

Must-Sees from IACP 2006

General Dynamics Mobile Tactical Trailer

TASER Cam

Panasonic Toughbook 30

DSM Dyneema SB-61

Stinger S-200

StarChase Tagging & Tracking System

Mace Pepper Gel

Panasonic Arbitrator CP

LaserMax J-Max & Uni-Max

Havis-Shields Kwik-Kit

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HxM BT

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