IACP CONFERENCE, Chicago, Ill., Oct. 21, 2011 – Panasonic Solutions Company, a provider of rugged mobile technology solutions for law enforcement, today announced that the Florida Highway Patrol has selected its Toughbook® Arbitrator® Mobile Digital Video System for statewide vehicle deployment. More than 700 State Trooper vehicles have already been outfitted by Panasonic with the digital video solution as part of the Patrol’s initiatives to streamline evidence collection and management processes and enhance officer safety. An additional 300 units will be installed as part of this engagement.
The Toughbook Arbitrator is a complete digital video system for evidence capture and management. It is the only all digital solid-state video system, capturing up to 2500-hours of high-quality video to four Class 10 SD Memory Cards. The Toughbook Arbitrator system compresses files for easy storage and fast, secure and auditable wireless transmission of full-motion video. All video and audio data files can be indexed and searched for rapid access by time, date, officer, vehicle or incident. Like all Panasonic Toughbook solutions, the Toughbook Arbitrator system is built to endure the rugged environments of law enforcement use, with a shock-resistant, multi-function mount that can withstand vibration and frequent physical shocks to the vehicle.
“The Florida Highway Patrol purchased the Panasonic Toughbook Arbitrator system to enhance our ability to capture and convict impaired drivers, while enhancing the safety of our troopers,” said Col. David H. Brierton, Jr., director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “We now have a useful tool benefiting our troopers, agency and the communities we serve.”
The investment in a digital video solution extends beyond just the hardware. It includes training and back office infrastructure. To aid the Florida Highway Patrol with a speedy deployment, Panasonic Solutions Company provided comprehensive engagement support, including vehicle installation, server implementation, training, and professional services.
“In-vehicle digital video is no longer optional. It’s mandatory for law enforcement,” said Scott French, vice president of public sector sales for Panasonic Solutions Company. “Innovators, such as the Florida Highway Patrol, recognize how a complete digital evidence capture and management system can help increase officer safety and protect departments from false allegations and frivolous lawsuits, while increasing the likelihood of successful prosecution.”
In 2004, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conducted law enforcement’s most comprehensive study of in-vehicle camera usage[1]. The results highlighted the dramatic impact of video systems on officer safety and judicial process. The survey found that 33-percent of officers felt safer with the in-vehicle cameras. Additionally, 48-percent of officers reported that citizens were less aggressive when they knew an incident was being recorded. Of prosecutors surveyed in the study, more than 91-percent said they used in-car video evidence in court and that the evidence enhanced their ability to obtain convictions and increased the number of guilty pleas before a case went to trial.
The Panasonic Toughbook Arbitrator System will be demonstrated at the 118th Annual Conference and Exposition of the International Association of Chiefs of Police., October 22nd through 26th at McCormick Place West, Chicago, Ill. Registered event attendees may visit the Panasonic booth at 3303.
About Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services it offers, visit, http://www.flhsmv.gov.
About Panasonic Solutions Company
Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company’s portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic Solutions Company’s full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/business-solutions.