Safely Coordinate Technology In The Patrol Vehicle

When it comes time to select all of the equipment and the controllers that allow an officer to manage it all, there are a few concerns that have to be taken into consideration. It’s only common sense but it bears saying here—know everything that you are putting into the compartment before you ever start trying to plan how you’ll do it. Few things are worse than getting half the equipment in and then finding out that you need to add another unit/item that has to be put in before those last two items you mounted. Make your list of items; review it; review it again; have someone else review it; get inputs from the officers who will actually be driving the vehicle; review the list again; finalize your list and put the items in order of installation. Keep the following in consideration:

Safety: This is first and foremost. Ensure several things where safety is impacted:

  • It cannot be placed where it will present an increased danger of injury to the officer in the event of a traffic accident—preferably from any angle.
  • It cannot be placed where it will be within the airbag deployment space. If it is, then it cannot be such that can be broken loose and sent flying by the deploying airbag.
  • If it’s a control of any kind, or a screen that requires touching, it should be placed within easy reach of the officer with ergonomics properly taken into consideration.
  • If it has a screen that requires interaction or steady observation while typing on a keyboard, it should be placed as close to the line of sight while driving without blocking any important sight planes. Agency policy must address the manipulation of all such devices while the vehicle is in motion.
  • If it’s electric, it generates heat and placement of all wiring, power units, ventilation systems, etc. have to be coordinated. Do not create “hot spots” in or on the vehicle.
  • It cannot be placed in such a way that it might be a danger to any prisoner or arrestee, officer or citizen in the passenger seat.

Efficiency: If what you’re mounting isn’t regularly used by and necessary for the day to day functions of the law enforcement professional, don’t put it there. Put it in the trunk in a secured fashion where it’s available as necessary but not in the way. If you can mount one unit that performs the same functions as multiple other units but the cost is higher, carefully consider it. If an officer can manipulate one piece of equipment rather than two or more while driving, it increases safety.

Comfort: In today’s world of the midsize sedan or downsized SUV cockpit, it is all too common to have the mounted equipment infringing on the already limited space for the officer in the driver’s seat. Keeping the equipment close enough for safe and convenient manipulation but outside of the comfort zone can be a challenge. Take that challenge and find a way to meet or beat it. No matter what electronics you have in the passenger compartment, there is going to be a need for ever increasing amounts of data transfer, too. Such a mobile booster, from a company like SureCall.com, can pay back its weight in gold through increased clarity of communications.

You can bet on one thing and not lose money—the coming years will add or change what we need/can have in our LEPVs. Agencies have a duty to do their best to provide safely and properly equipped vehicles to their officers. The officers have a duty to get familiar with what’s in the vehicle and to note anything that isn’t right. Remember, the patrol vehicle is your office; it needs to serve your needs. As much as is possible, it should conform to you—not the other way around. 

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