A recent article in InPublicSafety’s July issue hails the modern police as "RoboCops," a testament to the fact there is a tectonic shift towards technology in police work.
While many departments are still struggling with budget issues, no one can deny the fact that upgrades and tech improvements are imperative to effective policing in modern times.
In fact, more wearable technologies are being adapted for law enforcement applications than other industries, which shows their efficacy and immense potential to do good. Initial usage has already revealed how these devices can go a long way to improve situational awareness and communication for every officer on duty.
More departments are experimenting with adaptable versions of Google Glass and Apple Watch, along with smart clothes and body-worn cameras.
Their enthusiasm has been great motivation for engineers and inventors who need real-time testing on the products, so that they can be modified and perfected into useful tools that will make communities safer.
Wearable technology is advancing at a rapid pace and it seems that the entire criminal justice system is keeping up with the changes. They have been quick to adopt these emerging techs to ensure better safety and more efficient police work.
A look at the popular gadgets:
- Body-worn cameras — These have become extremely popular, because they promise more public safety and officer protection.
Accountability and transparency have become easier. They can easily connect police to data, paving the way for smooth and efficient multimedia communications and information transmission.
Improved situational awareness will help them when they need to make snap decisions in the field, ensuring better operational success and improved safety for all.
- Google Glass — True to any Google product, Glass is futuristic and has the potential to make present-day policing safer. This will allow officers to run a quick license and background check without having to go back to the cruiser and waste valuable time.
The video capability allows commanding officers to view crime scenes remotely via live-streaming from the officers' glasses. They don’t even need complicated setup, as any Bluetooth, iPhone or Android device can be used.
This real-time situational awareness data paves the way for faster decision-making and better resource management.
- Motorola’s HC1 and Connected Officer — This is a hands-free, wearable, headset computer that offers instant access to important data in remote locations. It negates the need to carry laptops or hand-held devices, which can become bulky and cumbersome on harsh terrains.
It includes head gesture controls, advanced voice recognition, a microdisplay that is equivalent to a virtual 15-inch screen and video streaming to help view documents, navigate through applications and building schematics at the same time.
Environmental and biomonitoring sensors also provide information about hazardous situations.
- TASER’s AXON — These are camera clips that are super flexible and can be mounted on police officers' eyewear, collar, ball cap, helmet, body and a cruiser’s dashboard.
Other popular wearable video cameras from the brand include one that is designed to provide a 130-degree, wide-angle lens video capture when attached to the officer’s body. They are configured to record in low light, and for long battery life, allowing an officer to record multiple incidents in a day easily.
- Samsung Galaxy Gear — These smartwatches have become every popular across agencies and the civilian stream. They are wrist-worn computers with phone and text features that can be seamlessly combined with easy to shoot videos and photos by simply pointing the wrist at an angle.
It allows easy flow of communication, aiding officers to stay in touch with their teams and multitask and be connected to smartphones and tablets. It has tools like a pedometer and heart-rate sensors to measure an officer's health or stress levels.
Other wearable tech devices that are increasingly become popular include the VIEVU's LE3, a turn-signal motorcycle jacket, the wearable-tablet Cicret Bracelet, and even a wearable drone camera. Fantastic as they sound, wearable tech has stepped off the realm of science fiction to become reality.
These next-generation wearable technologies have already gone a long way to make police work more efficient, reduce complaints and lawsuits and even create better videos for training future police teams.
