Officer.com Police Blogs & Podcasts

Tim Dees
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com

A big difference between Enforcement Expo and the many others that market to the law enforcement trade is that there were far more “hands on” opportunities for attendees. Most trade shows allow you to look at the toys, but only VIPs and magazine contributors (like me) get to play with them. People want to try this stuff out, not just watch someone else do it and take their word that it’s super-neato. This year, just about everyone that wanted to get a first-hand experience was encouraged to do so.

All three major U.S. vehicle manufacturers were represented, and a good chunk of the parking lot was roped off as a test track. The new police package models were there, fully equipped and gassed up, and available for test drives. There’s an experience that you won’t often see at other shows and conferences. There was even a skid car available for test drives. The only complaint I heard about this portion of the show was from the vehicle reps, who were hoping that more cops would have come out to play. We’re going to work on that next year.

Several of the major tactical simulator manufacturers also had fully-functioning demo models set up for use by anyone who managed to get admission to the show floor. These included Advanced Interactive Systems, Laser Shot, FAAC, and a newcomer to the law enforcement market, Dynamic Animation Systems, Inc.

VICE

DAS’ premier product for the police market is called VICE, for Virtual Interactive Combat Environment. It is based on a system originally developed for the military. VICE works something like an interactive, multi-player video game, but on a much grander, more immersive scale. Users occupy a booth or “lane,” equipped with a large video display and a wirelessly connected firearm. The system demonstrated at Enforcement Expo used M4 military rifles that had been modified for use with the system, and were otherwise incapable of firing. The rifle is equipped with two thumb-operated joysticks, mounted where they are convenient to operate when the rifle is held at the ready. One joystick controls movement forward, backward, and laterally. The other controls swiveling or panning horizontally and vertically. It takes about ten minutes of practice before this interface stops being frustrating, but it’s otherwise pretty effortless. The hard part is holding the rifle–weighted to mirror an operational model– to your shoulder while you practice. There are also several programmable buttons on the receiver that can be used to pitch grenades and perform other maneuvers.

The system can be set up to mimic just about any environment. In the Enforcement Expo demo, a “shoot house” with bad guys and hostages was the most popular. Users see from the point of view of their own operator, but also see the users operating other lanes. The system adds another dimension lacking in most tactical simulators, in that multiple users have to work together and coordinate movement to be effective. The VICE setup was one of the most popular exhibits on the trade show floor, but even so, everyone that wanted a chance to try it out got one.

Custom Ear Molds

Another exhibitor that got my attention was Brite Ears, LLC. When I was working the street, one of my pet peeves involved using my portable radio. If I could hear it, so could everyone else. This is not good when dispatch tells you that the guy you’re talking to is wanted for something, which he probably knew already. In order to talk, I had to free up at least one hand, and hands were often in short supply with juggling pens, ticket books, flashlights, and occasionally bad guys. I tried various earphones, shoulder mikes, and combinations thereof, but the cords were cumbersome and the earphones irritated my ear canal. Brite Ears makes custom-molded earpieces for all sorts of devices, including portable radios, cell phones, iPods, stethoscopes, and stage monitors for performers.

The customizing process is pretty simple and quick. A technician squirts some goop into your ears and lets it set up for about five minutes. When they pull it out, they have a custom mold of your pinna (that’s the portion of the ear that sticks out the side of your head) and outer ear canal. This is used to make a custom earpiece for whatever device you choose, and they are pretty good at adapting these to any they might not have in stock. The original molds are sent back to you, so that you can use them again if you decide to order earpieces for the same or another device.

If shoes only came in small, medium, and large, most people wouldn’t find them very comfortable, and ears are no different. Getting a good fit to an earpiece hat you’re going to wear for extended periods is as important as getting well-fitting shoes. With either one, you’ll forget you’re wearing them if they’re fit properly.

Brite Ears has some innovative devices that combine hearing protection and communications. One works like electronic shooting range earmuffs, where normal sounds are transmitted and even amplified, but loud noises like gunshots are muffled. These can be combined with communications earpieces that put radio traffic directly in your ear, and some even work wirelessly.

ZAP! Scooters

Another product that wasn’t exactly new, but should get more attention than it did, was the Zappy Pro from ZAP! Products. This is a three-wheel electric scooter ridden from a standing position that will go for up to 24 miles at a maximum speed of 13 mph on a single charge. It will fully recharge from a conventional power outlet in 4-6 hours. The scooter has applications for foot patrols in all sorts of venues, especially those that are mostly inside or on relatively even surfaces, such as malls, airports, and special event venues (festivals, concerts, fairs, etc.). Now, it might occur to you that there is already an electric scooter-type product out there that has an added coolness factor because it uses only two wheels and stands up by itself, and you would be correct. The big difference is one of cost. For the price of one of the other guy’s models (which definitely are cool–I got to play with one last year), you can buy about five Zappy Pros.

There were many more products shown at Enforcement Expo 2006, and I haven’t even mentioned the training workshops that were ongoing throughout the event. For the benefit of those of you with more traditional interests, Dunkin’ Donuts had a presence both days, and gave away unlimited free donuts and coffee throughout. We’ll try and continue that tradition, and next year, see if there’s something we can do to insure that the fire alarm doesn’t sound throughout the opening ceremonies. I hope to see you all at next year’s event.

About Tim Dees

Tim Dees is the editor-in-chief of Officer.com. Dees was a law enforcement officer for 15 years with the City of Reno, Nevada and later with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Nevada, serving primarily as a uniformed patrol officer and sergeant. He has also served as a field training officer, in DUI enforcement, as an instructor at the police academy and in-service training programs, and as a drug influence recognition expert. From 1994 to 2001, he was a criminal justice professor at colleges in Wisconsin, West Virginia, Georgia, and Oregon. Dees also worked as a regional training coordinator for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), based in Pendleton.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in biological science from San José State University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from The University of Alabama, the Certified Protection Professional credential from the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), and is a Certified Law Enforcement Trainer (CLET) and life member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET).