NCJ Number
65490
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
POLICE NEEDS IN ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY AND PLANNED OR AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT ARE DESCRIBED IN THESE BRITISH SYMPOSIUM PAPERS.
Abstract
A BACKGROUND PAPER INDICATES THAT TECHNOLOGY IS BEING DEVELOPED TO STREAMLINE POLICE OPERATIONS AND TO FREE OFFICERS FOR DUTIES REQUIRING THE HUMAN TOUCH. HOWEVER, THE POLICE MUST MAKE CLEAR THEIR PRESENT NEEDS TO MANUFACTURERS BEFORE THE LATTER BEGIN PRODUCTION OF EQUIPMENT. THE HOME OFFICE POLICE SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT BRANCH HAS IDENTIFIED NEEDS FOR (1) SURVEILLANCE, (2) SEARCH AND DETECTION, (3) TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION, AND (4) TRACKING. SURVEILLANCE REQUIRES PICTURE OR FILM ACQUISITION AT RANGES BETWEEN 3 FEET AND 5 HUNDRED YARDS. TELEVISION SYSTEMS ARE NEEDED WHICH WILL COPE WITH ALL VARIATIONS IN LIGHT, DISTANCE, POWER REQUIREMENTS, AND SIZE. SEARCH AND DETECTION REQUIRES EQUIPMENT USEFUL FOR DISCOVERING BURIED BODIES WITHOUT EXCAVATION; FOR LOCATING LIVING PERSONS IN HIDING; AND FOR QUICKLY FINDING EXPLOSIVES, ARMS AND AMMUNITION, AND DRUGS. FURTHER, THE SECURE TRANSMISSION OF NARROW AND WIDE-BAND INFORMATION USING PORTABLE EQUIPMENT IS NECESSARY. FINALLY, 'BUGGING' MONEY AND TRACKING VEHICLES DEMAND EQUIPMENT THAT IS DIFFICULT TO DISCOVER AND THAT INCLUDES MULTIPLE FIXED OR PORTABLE READOUT SITES IN A FAIL SAFE SYSTEM. THE DEVELOPMENT BRANCH ITSELF HAS DESIGNED SOME EQUIPMENT TO MEET THESE NEEDS: (1) ELECTRONIC LIGHT AMPLIFIERS WITH LIGHT GAINS OF 100,000; (2) LOW-COST, PORTABLE THERMAL IMAGING EQUIPMENT; (3) THREE TYPES OF METAL DETECTORS; (4) PORTABLE VEHICLE TRACKERS WITH RANGES OF 1 MILE IN THE CITY AND 7 IN OPEN COUNTRY; AND (5) SMALL MICROWAVE TELEVISION SYSTEMS SENSITIVE TO A WIDE RANGE OF LIGHT. SOME EQUIPMENT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE FROM BRITISH MANUFACTURERS, INCLUDING IMAGE INTENSIFIERS, THERMAL IMAGERS, TELEVISION CAMERAS, MICROWAVE LINKS, POINT VISIBILITY MONITORS, OPTICAL MAN DETECTORS, AND MORE. DETAILED EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONS ARE GIVEN. MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT INCLUDED.