NCJ Number
214540
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 42,44,51
Date Published
April 2006
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article reviews research on the ergonomic problems associated with police vehicles that are outfitted with laptops and other “mobile office” equipment and describes improvements made by the Omaha (Nebraska) Police Department.
Abstract
The initiative to put laptop computers in police officer’s cruisers was a great boon to many police departments across the country, including the Omaha Police Department. Unfortunately, the consultants who installed the equipment failed to discuss the set-up with patrol officers and the result was an ergonomically problematic design that put officers at risk for injury and placed them at a tactical disadvantage in terms of keeping their eyes on suspects. A safety committee reviewed the situation and prepared a report detailing the problem. The main problems included the awkward body positioning officers had to use to view the laptop and other equipment, problems with steering wheel obstruction, and problems with the long barrel shotgun placements. Research on ergonomic design in police patrol vehicles is reviewed and illustrates the problems that can result from improper design, including physical injury, fatigue, and depression. The Omaha Police Department committed itself to making changes and met with information technology consultants, garage personnel, laptop mount vendors, and ergonomic experts. Changes involved moving the laptop to the trunk for use as a Central Processing Unit and replacing the console unit with a dash-mounted monitor and detachable keyboard. The key to making appropriate changes is in meeting with a board-certified ergonomist. In fact, Omaha’s experience with redesigning its patrol cars was so positive it has made ergonomic improvements throughout the Department. Exhibits