Every officer, no matter how new or inexperienced, has had the necessity and value of inventory control pounded into them. From the first class in the academy about chain of custody for evidence, officers learn how to track access to evidence, and then they get told how they’re going to be responsible for everything they ever sign out and until they can prove it’s signed back in. That “everything” includes evidence, radios, weapons, vehicles and more. Several job descriptions within the law enforcement profession requires the use of equipment that manages access and inventory control. Anyone serving in one of those positions, from evidence management to fleet management, should take a look at the TRAKA cabinets as we discuss them below.
One easy way to control access and inventory is to control the keys: the keys to vehicles, to locked rooms, to weapon cabinets, etc. If you control the keys, and can prove possession/responsibility for them, then you can track any related inventory. While visiting the International Association of Chiefs of Police I saw a product that quite simply addressed the key control issue. That product is manufactured by Assa Abloy and is called TRAKA.
TRAKA had several key cabinets on display and demonstrated the ease of use as well as the depth of control features. There are various sizes available and, beyond key cabinets, there is also a TRAKA Touch Pro V security cabinet. The three key cabinets that they had on display, from smallest to largest, included:
· The TRAKA Touch Pro M
· The TRAKA Touch Pro S
· And the TRAKA Touch Pro L
Let’s take a look at the various models, starting with the TRAKA Touch Pro V security cabinet. The cabinet itself is simple in appearance but obviously rugged in that simplicity. Access is gained via the 7” touch screen for entering passcodes. Those passcodes are individual-specific and a log is kept of each access by code, date and time. Options are available for barcode scanners and/or biometric scanners for access instead of the passcode entry. Up to 40,000 users can be programmed into the system. The TRAKE Pro V cabinet measures 18.5” tall by 9.8” wide and 6.5” deep.
The TRAKA Touch Pro M holds and manages up to 20 keys – 40 keys if the customer chooses double density - and uses the same 7” touch screen access control panel as the TRAKA Pro V. These systems operate separately from the agency/organization IT systems which allows for greater versatility in who can manage the TRAKA panels.
All of the TRAKA cabinets have battery backup systems so the systems can remain secure even if there is a power interruption for the primary power system.
The TRAKA Pro S key cabinet is the next largest key cabinet available and holds a standard 60 keys, or 120 keys if the double density option is chosen. Measuring 29.5” tall, 33.3” wide and 6.3” deep, it’s still small enough to be mounted in many out of the way places. It, too, can be programmed to operate with up to 40,000 users and won’t lose stored data even if power to the unit is lost.
The TRAKA Pro L key cabinet is the largest key cabinet available and holds a standard 180 keys, or 360 keys if the double density option is chosen. With optional extension units, it can hold and manage up to 720 keys. Measuring 76.4” tall, 33.3” wide and 6.3” deep, its empty weight is just over 175 pounds. Obviously, that weight doesn’t include keys.
For more information about any of these products, or to explore the possibility of a custom solution from TRAKA, visit them online: www.traka.com.
