Fall 2020 Vol. 18, No. 3
https://hendonpub.com/police-fleet-manager-magazine/
PREVENT PATROL BREAK-INS WITH DEFEND IR
PAGE 10
WHAT’S NEW FROM
THE BIG THREE
FOR 2021? COVER STORY
PAGE 14 FEATURE: COMPONENT RELIABILITY IN EMERGENCY VEHICLES
PAGE 26
OFFICER SAFETY: HARDWIRE BALLISTIC ARMOR
PAGE 32
FOCUS: FORD’S LATEST TECH HELPS POLICE VEHICLES NEUTRALIZE COVID-19
PAGE 34
BE SOCIABLE www.pfmmag.com 1
CONTENTS
Fall 2020 I Vol. 18, No. 3 Photos courtesy of FCA Fleet, Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Brad Brewer
COVER STORY
14 WHAT’S NEW FROM THE BIG THREE FOR 2021?
Get caught up in what’s new from the Big Three Automakers for Police Vehicles for 2021 model year. Ford, Dodge and Chevy so off some of their latest Police Pursuit and Special Service Vehicles. By Brad Brewer
4
ADVERTISER INDEX
6
NEW PRODUCTS
14 26
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
10 PREVENT PATROL BREAK-INS WITH DEFEND IR FROM JOTTO DESK
32
Jotto Desk makes products that protect you while you serve and protect. When you are off duty, the Defend IR is on. By PFM Staff
12
INDUSTRY NEWS
FEATURE
34
26 COMPONENT RELIABILITY IN EMERGENCY VEHICLES
System Level Considerations for Ensuring Component Reliability in Emergency Vehicles. By Eric Graham
OFFICER SAFETY 32 HARDWIRE BALLISTIC ARMOR
Hardwire Ballistic Armor by Havis Protects Officers from Bullets and Projectiles By Donna Moy
10 FOCUS
34 FORD’S LATEST TECH HELPS POLICE VEHICLES NEUTRALIZE COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world forever and with that change comes new innovations to help all of us overcome and adapt to our new world. As the leader in the Police vehicle market, Ford has stepped up in numerous ways to assist our first responders with a multitude of new innovations. By Brad Brewer www.pfmmag.com Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020 3
ADVERTISER INDEX
Fall 2020 I Vol. 18, No. 3
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Company
CO-PUBLISHERS Henry Kingwill and Peter Kingwill
Page
Website
Code3 (ECCO Group)
37
ESG.GLOBAL/C3MATRIX
Egis Mobile Electric
25
WWW.EGISMOBILE.COM
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Henry Kingwill henry@hendonpub.com ph: 224-458-1121
FCA Fleet
5
www.fcausfleet.com
General Tire
19
www.generaltire.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jennifer Gavigan, Brad Brewer, Yesenia Duran
GFX Law
13
www.gfxlaw.com
SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Havis/Hardwire
ARTICLE SUMMARY
Carl Walanski Article summary goes here. Article cwalanski@hendonpub.com summary goes here. Article summary PRODUCTION goes here. Article summary goes here. Kirk Moen Article summary goes here.
kmoen@hendonpub.com Mobile: 608-770-6364 FURTHER Ph: 224-458-1124RESEARCH
http://star1889.com/svp.htm TRADE SHOW DIRECTOR
Lisa McDade lmcdade@hendonpub.com Author info goes here. Author info goes here. Ph: 224-458-1123 PFM ADVERTISING PFE BOOTH SALES Kirk Moen – National Director kmoen@hendonpub.com Mobile: 608-770-6364 Ph: 224-458-1124 FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS CALL 847-444-3300 or e-mail: pfmmag@gmail.com POLICE FLEET MANAGER is published bimonthly by Hendon Media Group, 130 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL 60015 (847) 444-3300. POSTMASTER, send change of address to Police Fleet Manager, 130 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. Subscribers send address changes to Police Fleet Manager, 130 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. For subscription information only, call (847) 444-3300. This entire issue is copyrighted by Hendon Media Group.
16-17
www.havis.com/hardwire
Hendon Media Group
41
https://hendonpub.com/police-fleet-manager-magazine/
John Jones Pursuit
33
www.policepursuitvehicles.com
Jotto Desk
7
www.jottopublicsafety.com
Kussmaul
6
www.kussmaul.com
OPS Public Safety
23
opspublicsafety.com
Panasonic i-PRO
11
www.publicsafety.i-pro.com
Rockland Custom Products
39
www.rocklandcustomproducts.com
Setina Manufacturing The new STAR LASER is a modular, low profile,2full-size www.setina.com lightbar. SoundOff
9
www.soundoffsignal.com
Tremco Police Products
8
www.tremcopoliceproducts.com
Tufloc
31
www.tufloc.com
Waytek
21
www.waytekwire.com/picker
POLICE FLEET MANAGER SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION CHANGES Please Recycle This Magazine. Remove inserts before recycling.
4 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
Post your comments on this story For any subscription changes please by visiting www.pfmmag.com e-mail us at pfmmag@gmail.com
THE NEW PARTNER EVERYBODY WANTS TO WORK WITH.
2021 DODGE DURANGO PURSUIT
IP-mounted shifter
Heavy-duty BR9 brakes
Police-specific seats
BETTER EQUIPPED FOR EVERY CALL, EVERY SHIFT. The 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit was built with officer safety — and public safety — in mind. With standard features like an 8-speed automatic transmission with new IP-mounted shifter, new heavyduty BR9 brakes and police-specific seats, Durango was built for business…police business. • Available 5.7L HEMI® V8 AWD with 360 hp & 390 lb-ft torque
• 3.6L Pentastar® V6 AWD with 293 hp & 260 lb-ft torque
• Vehicle System Interface Module (VSIM)
• Steel wheels with chrome center caps
• Stealth Mode
• 130-mph top speed
The Legend Continues.
fcausfleet.com
I
1.800.999.FLEET (3533)
©2020 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Dodge and HEMI are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC.
PRODUCTS
New Products I Previews PRO-VISION® Unveils New BODYCAM® 4 Body-Worn Camera…New Features Include RFID Login, Automatic Activation and Full-Shift Continuous Recording www.provisionusa.com/law-enforcement/police-bodycam4.php
Pro-Vision Video Systems announces the release of its new Bodycam 4, the dependable, fullyintegrated body-worn camera you can count on to capture video evidence you can trust. Bodycam 4 is intelligently designed to provide a cost-effective approach for policing in today’s world. With RFID Login, departments can purchase Bodycam 4 based on need instead of officer head count. This enables officers on different shifts to easily share a single body-worn camera, allowing departments to get what they need today while still being able to add more as resources allow. Bodycam 4 is designed to make the process of capturing video evidence as simple as possible. The device features configurable Full-Shift Continuous Recording and Pre-Event Recording buffers to ensure critical events are not missed, even without hitting record. Bodycam 4 can also be automatically activated by any vehicle within a 30-foot range to keep the focus where it should be – on the situation at hand. Users can trust the evidence they capture with Integrated GPS that stamps coordinates on video files and in metadata to provide the extra details needed to tell the full story. Uploading and managing video evidence is also easier with Bodycam 4’s Flexible Docking & Video Upload features. Users can upload evidence directly to the SecuraMax™ Cloud evidence management solution from camera docking stations either in the field or at the office. The ability to simultaneously tag Bodycam 4 and Pro-Vision HD In-Car Video System evidence using timeline-based tagging increases efficiency and simplifies the evidence management process. Departments are also only charged for SecuraMax access per device, not per user. This allows departments to provide access to the software without having to spend more on extra software licenses. For more information, visit www.provisionusa.com/law-enforcement/police-bodycam4.php.
NEW USB-C/USB-A DUAl ChArgiNg Port
Setina Manufacturing Company Police Bike Rack www.setina.com
Charge Electronic Devices In-Vehicle • 63 watt max output allows charging of two devices at the same time USB-C 45 watts/ USB-A 18 watts max. • Built-In LED Indicator • Designed for easy installation • Connect to 12V or 24V switched ignition or directly to battery Model 091-264
TM
MADE IN THE USA
800-346-0857 • www.kussmaul.com • sales@kussmaul.com
6 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
The Police Bike Rack from Setina Manufacturing Company, Inc. is adjustable for nearly all bike types, collapsible for easy storage, and offers a universal fit on most Setina Push Bumpers. The lowprofile folding design offers quick and easy mounting, removal, and storage for one or two bikes, eliminating the need for a second bike transport vehicle. The Setina Police Bike Rack is comprised of MADE IN THE USA a sturdy, seamless steel framework with stainless-steel fasteners and foam-padded contact mount points, plus a durable, black powder-coated finish (the weight of the rack is 10 pounds). For more on this and other Setina police products, visit www.setina.com
You take every available precaution to secure your patrol vehicle; firearms in the gun rack, locking equipment and doors. The inconvenient truth is that the criminal element has time on their side to bypass these precautions. Jotto Desk is excited to introduce the Defend IR Security System. The first Security Solution against patrol vehicle break-ins. The Defend IR Monitors the interior of your vehicle utilizing an infrared sensor when armed. When a change is detected, the Defend IR activates the lights and siren of the patrol vehicle, alerting everyone nearby and scaring off a potential thief.
Check it out at jottopublicsafety.com
PRODUCTS
New Products I Previews
Jotto Desk Mamba Mount www.jottopublicsafety.com Jotto Desk’s Mamba Mount is the most deployable laptop mount on the market. With five points of adjustment, including a 110-degree rotating Motion Arm and 90-degree adjustable Tilt/ Swivel Assembly, the Mamba Mount keeps your work always in striking distance. The unique swivel and slide design of the Mamba Mount allows you to position your laptop in three modes: Store & Drive, Park & Work, and Tactically Safe. Store & Drive is the best setting for driving while still viewing your computer screen but set away for easy access to the console. The Park and Work mode allows you to bring the computer closer to you for a more ergonomic working position while sitting in the driver or passenger seat. The Tactically Safe position is used while standing outside of the passenger side of the vehicle. This setting allows the officer to work while positioned behind an open door and maintaining eyes on people and the environment around them. The Mamba Mount easily attaches to the majority of Jotto Desk Contour Consoles and any other standard console with side-mount fittings. In addition, it fits all Jotto Desk A-MOD Desktops. To learn more about the Mamba Mount, visit www.jottopublicsafety.com
Egis Mobile Electric PDM-14 All-In-One Power Distribution Module www.egismobile.com Egis Mobile Electric presents the PDM-14, combining four separate functions in one space and a cost-saving design. The four functions include intelligent battery protection, downstream circuit protection, ground return busbar, and an optional manual kill-switch for service maintenance. With 10 1-25A outputs, three high-amp 1-45A outputs, and an unfused/expansion output, the PDM-14 can support a broad range of applications. Three independent manage output groups can be set to either 24/7 always on, ignition switched, or time delayed, all while maintaining low-battery voltage protection to ensure maximum vehicle availability. It meets stringent OEM standards for electrical immunity and high temperatures, while drawing a low off-state current of 1.3 mA. For more information on the PDM-14 or other Egis Mobile Electric products, visit www.egismobile.com 8 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
While driving, you have enough to worry about.
Let thinking for you.
do the
bluePRINTÂŽ, an automated control system from SoundOff Signal, creates a safer environment for officers through a more effective use of emergency lighting and siren technologies. This system allows you to stay focused on the task at hand while keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Lights and siren configurations are pre-programmed and prioritized to respond to emergency situations without the officer having to determine which buttons and switches to activate while driving. Let us show you how bluePRINT can help you to reduce upfit complexity, improve the upfit quality, reduce downtime, and limit total cost of ownership regardless of agency size.
www.soundoffsignal.com
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
PREVENT PATROL BREAK-INS WITH DEFEND IR FROM JOTTO DESK JOTTOPUBLICSAFETY.GOJOTTO.COM
W
hen you are in law enforcement, your vehicle is not just transportation, it is your office, your storage locker, and your home. You take every precaution to secure and protect your patrol vehicle. Unfortunately, your patrol vehicle is never truly safe from criminals who bypass your safeguards to steal the tools you use to serve and protect citizens. To protect your home and property, you can invest in security systems, alarms, and cameras, but until now, there was little you could do to prevent patrol vehicle breakins. That is why Jotto Desk has developed the Defend IR, the first infrared security system explicitly designed for patrol vehicles. When armed, the Defend IR monitors the interior of your cabin. If movement is sensed, the Defend IR utilizes the lights and sirens of the patrol vehicle, alerting everyone around that a break-in has happened and startling potential thieves before they can steal your police equipment. Jotto Desk makes products that protect you while you serve and protect. When you are off duty, the Defend IR is on. To find out more about the Defend IR, go to www.jottopublicsafety.com
10 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
For more information, call 877-455-6886 or visit jottopublicsafety.gojotto.com. Jotto Desk 209 W Easy St, Rogers, AR 72756
About Jotto Desk Since 1994, Jotto Desk, a business unit of Assembled Products Corporation of Rogers, AR, has been innovating and manufacturing mounting and prisoner containment solutions for Public Safety. First to the market with The Mobile Office Desk, Jotto Desk has grown its product lines offerings to include equipment consoles, gun racks, partitions, single prisoner transport, cargo barriers, prisoner seating, and more. Jotto Desk products are used in public safety, homeland security, military, infrastructure, sales, service, and transportation fleets in small to large businesses. Click here to watch a video about the Defend IR.
PANASONIC PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOW i-PRO i-PRO was built on the foundation of innovation, outstanding reliability, and proven performance synonymous with the Panasonic brand – now with a dedicated focus on security, public safety and business intelligence systems. As a recognized global leader in video technologies and cameras, i-PRO will continue to deliver best-in-class evidence capture, management and analytics to provide law enforcement professionals with the high-performance tools they need to keep their officers, and the communities they serve, safe. That’s the power of i-PRO!
publicsafety.i-pro.com
INDUSTRY NEWS
Tesla Model 3 Police Cars Pay for Themselves Faster than Expected, Says Police Chief Bargersville, IN Police Chief Todd Bertrum, who pushed to electrify his department’s patrol cars with Tesla Model 3 vehicles (in 2019), now says that the electric vehicles might pay for themselves in less than two years (the Model 3s replaced Dodge Chargers). The Model 3 Standard Range Plus version that was purchased by the Bargersville Police Department was a little more expensive than the Dodge Charger, but they expect gas savings of approximately $6,000 per year, which means that the Model 3 will pay for itself over its lifetime. The Bargersville Police Department generally keep their vehicles for six years and after breaking down the economics, they determined that they are going to save about $20,000 (per car) with the Model 3. This includes not only gas savings but some significant maintenance savings, too. The department expected that the electric vehicles would pay for themselves in about two years. After having the vehicles for a few months, Chief Bertram now believes that the return on investment could happen as fast as 19 months.
Polaris and Zero Motorcycles Announce 10-Year Partnership Polaris has had its eye on developing a series of off-road electric vehicles spanning its many product classes. That goal looks all but certain now after a new partnership was announced between Polaris and Zero Motorcycles to co-develop electric off-road vehicles. Zero Motorcycles is a leader in electric motorcycles in the West, with a larger share of the North American electric motorcycle market than competitors such as Energica, Lightning Motorcycles, and Harley-Davidson combined. Polaris has long led the off-road vehicle industry and despite most of Polaris’ offerings being gas-powered up to this point, the company indeed offers a handful of electric models such as the GEM neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) and the all-terrain Ranger EV. Now the two companies are combining forces in a 10-year exclusive partnership to develop a series of electric offroad vehicles and electric snowmobiles. Polaris and Zero claim the first off-road electric vehicle developed by the partnership will roll out by the end of 2021.
12 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
GFX Announces Upfit Program on the Dodge Durango Pursuit Ground Effects, Ltd. (GFX) announced its award by FCAMopar Division for the factory upfit program on the Dodge Durango Pursuit. This program was awarded based on the expertise GFX has in the overall marketplace and its high level of quality manufacturing. The FCA offerings of Vehicle Emergency Equipment Wire Harness & PDC (XPW), Police Center Console (CUG), Front Door Ballistic Panels (XDG, XDV), and Left & Right-Hand Spotlights (LNA, LNF) help round out the Durango Pursuit into a true police vehicle. GFX’s intimate knowledge of the vehicle and emergency systems provide unparalleled expertise on equipment integration for all three FCA police vehicles, Charger Pursuit, Durango Pursuit, and Ram 1500 SSV.
Feniex Industries Announces Natasha Masterson as New Vice President Natasha Masterson recently joined Feniex Industries, as a new Vice President, after leaving her role as Director of Marketing for Lamborghini. Natasha brings over a decade of vast experience in market and product strategy and has demonstrated herself to be a leader in the automotive industry, playing essential roles in expanding businesses at a senior level. In her new role at Feniex, she will be overseeing, managing, and executing all growth strategies. She will manage the full end-to-end system flow of the development, marketing, and sales of all new products. “We have been searching for an executive like Natasha for years and I’m confident we have found our key asset that will help expand Feniex in the global marketplace,” said Hamza Deyaf, CEO of Feniex Industries. Feniex Industries provides American-made vehicle warning devices for first responders worldwide.
NYPD Receives New Hybrid Cars The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is among the first in the country to receive brand-new hybrid models built specifically as police cars. The Ford Fusion-based Police Responder Sedan is the first true hybrid built for police purposes. Although it sounds and drives like a typical police vehicle, Ford estimates the cars will save more than 1,500 gallons of fuel per car per year. The NYPD aims to have all 10,000 of its vehicles become electric or hybrid within five years in an effort to reduce emissions and cut fuel costs. Right now, the department spends approximately $15 million a year on gas. The NYPD started testing retrofitted civilian hybrids in 2009, which improved fuel economy by two-thirds over a gas-powered cruiser.
READY to Roll
A truly ready to roll solution! GFX Law developed a common electrical system between DodgeÂŽ and RamÂŽ platforms for a highly reliable plug-and-play solution that other aftermarket or custom systems simply cannot provide. World class reliability and exceptional value is built into every GFX upfitted vehicle with industry-leading accessories and turn-around times for agencies of any size.
Learn more at gfxlaw.com.
GFX LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES
WWW.GFXLAW.COM | 1-800-739-6837
COVER STORY
What’s New from the BIG Three for 2021?
WHAT’S NEW FROM THE BIG THREE FOR 2021?
BY BRAD BREWER
FORD - https://www.fleet.ford.com/programs/business/government/ FCA - https://www.fcausfleet.com/law-enforcement-vehicles.html GM - https://www.gmfleet.com/police 14 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
FORD
F
ord’s all-new 2020 civilian Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) has taken the market by storm with the standard Hybrid PIU capitalizing on the previous generation PIU’s success. The drastic changes to the 2020 PIU were literally segmentchanging. So significant was the new PIU that Ford currently provides roughly two-thirds of all police vehicles in North America. So other than a new exterior color option called “Carbonized Gray,” and the deletion of the NorSea Blue paint color, the 2021 Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) and Expedition SSV both figure to carry over mostly unchanged for the 2021 model year. Which is not a surprise, as Ford’s popularity with police departments remains high.
For the Transit Van Prisoner Transport Vehicle, the only noticeable change is that this vehicle is moving to a new honeycomb grille as standard, replacing the current threebar grille. The Responder Hybrid Sedan ( Fusion) is no longer offered for 2021 as production of the civilian Fusion ended for 2020. The F-150 Responder ( Pursuit Rated) pickup will obviously be updated with the arrival of the new 2021 retail F-150 but so far, nothing has been publicly released on this pursuit-rated pickup. We are hopeful to hear news by the end of 2020. Ford has already started to reveal its all-new F-150 Special Service Vehicle (SSV), the latest in a portfolio of law enforcement and municipal vehicles trusted by cities and states across the country. Ford has been the best-selling police vehicle in law enforcement and the clear leader with officers everywhere. The all-new F-150 SSV is purpose-built to serve the community in supporting non-pursuit roles where trailering, payload, and utility are mission critical. The all-new Ford F-150 SSV helps fire departments, city public works departments, and law enforcement agencies serve their communities better. The available class-exclusive 3.5-liter PowerBoost ™ hybrid engine offers improved fuel economy and the opportunity to reduce engine idle times, as well as the uptime-improving technology of over-the-air updates. F-150 SSV provides power, towing, and payload capacity to meet the specialized needs of these unique deployments. The SSV is designed to be upfit-ready to support emergency lighting, radios, computers, and other onboard electrical equipment. Standard features include a column shifter, heavy-duty cloth front seats with no center seat section or console, vinyl rear seat, vinyl flooring, and a 240amp alternator. “We build the F-150 SSV specifically to support the behind-the-scenes work Law Enforcement and city agencies do every day to keep communities running smoothly,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “You might find our SSV towing boats for waterfront patrols or hauling firefighters and gear off-road during wildfire events. It is a great tool for getting work done and the new capabilities built into our truck expand its capability.”
The all-new F-150 has the most available towing, payload, torque, and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup. It introduces all-new features to increase officer productivity, has new connected vehicle innovations such as over-the-air updates that help keep F-150 at the forefront of purposeful technology, and offers an available all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost ™ full hybrid powertrain. The all-new F-150 SSV starts with a durable, proven foundation, a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame with a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. F-150 SSV is available in F-150 XL SuperCrew configuration, with the option of the 5.0L V8, 3.5-liter EcoBoost ® V6, or all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid engine, either a 4x4 or 4x2 drivetrain, and available FX4 Off-Road Package. A high-output 240-amp alternator on gas engine options replaces the stock unit to meet the demands for additional onboard electrical power. On the 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid, the lithium-ion hybrid battery supplies power to on-board accessories even when the gas engine is off, leading to reduced engine idle times and potential fuel savings. F-150 SSV includes an all-new interior with a standard column shifter, heavy-duty cloth front seats with no center seat section or console, vinyl rear seat, and vinyl floors. These features are designed for the hard-wearing requirements and easy cleanup required by government agencies. The interior is configured to allow custom upfits for aftermarket consoles, computers, and other equipment used in everyday duties. In addition to the 5.0-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, Ford is proud to offer the all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid targeted to deliver the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup and at least 12,000 pounds of maximum towing. PowerBoost has been tested extensively to support sustained usage in extreme temperatures or under heavy loads. It combines Ford’s proven EcoBoost engine and 10-speed SelectShift ® automatic transmission with the instant low-end torque of a 35-kilowatt (47-horsepower) electric motor integrated into the transmission. The electric motor also captures energy through its regenerative braking system to help recharge the 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, which is efficiently packaged underneath so the cab and cargo box is unimpeded by the system, resulting in no loss of passenger or cargo space. Power is not only important under the hood. Available Pro Power Onboard expands F-150 SSV’s capability by bringing generator levels of exportable power. Pro Power Onboard is available with a 2.0-kilowatt output for gas-only engines, while PowerBoost-equipped F-150 comes standard with 2.4 kilowatts of output or an optional 7.2 kilowatts of output. Power is accessible through in-cabin outlets and up to four cargo-bed-mounted 120-volt 20-amp outlets, with a 240-volt 30-amp outlet on the 7.2-kilowatt version. The system even provides power on the move to charge handheld radio, laptop, phone, or tool batteries. Every 2021 F-150 SSV comes standard with new cleats mounted to the sides of the tailgate that act as tie-down locations for extra-long items in the bed. New clamp pockets are built in to the tailgate of every truck, so materials can be
Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020 15
BALLISTIC ARMOR
• LEVEL IIIA ARMOR PROTECTION • EXTERNAL DOOR SOLUTION • WINDOW INSERT SOLUTION • LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABLE • EASILY INSTALLED & REMOVED • TRANSFERABLE TO LIKE MODELS
CONTACT HAVIS.COM/HARDWIRE FOR DETAILS
1-800-524-9900 | 75 JACKSONVILLE ROAD, WARMINSTER, PA 18974 www.havis.com
COVER STORY What’s New from the BIG Three for 2021?
held in place. An available flat Tailgate Work Surface also includes integrated rulers, mobile device holder, cupholder, and pencil holder. The 2021 F-150 SSV offers available Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Trailer Reverse Guidance, made popular on Super Duty, uses the truck’s high-resolution cameras to provide multiple views along with helpful graphics that tell drivers which way to turn the steering wheel while backing up. Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which makes backing up a trailer as easy as turning a dial, continues on F-150. The 2021 F-150 represents Ford’s next big step in bringing connected vehicles to fleets. It is North America’s first full-size pickup with standard over-the-air updates, helping trucks stay at the forefront of purposeful technology. These updates are bumper-to-bumper, and can include all-new functions and additional features throughout the life of the truck. They can support preventative maintenance, reduce repair trips, provide improved performance, and ultimately result in more vehicle uptime. The majority of updates will be completed in under two minutes and can be performed at times fleet managers choose, so they will not have to put work on hold. Available new Ford Telematics ™ and Ford Data Services ™ provides an array of connectivity tools designed to help fleet managers minimize vehicle downtime and increase vehicle uptime. An 8-inch center touchscreen is stan-
18 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
dard for better rearview camera vision and easy access to the digital owner’s manual, which can help operators find the information they need more easily, including how-to videos for additional explanation. All-new SYNC ® 4 is standard, helping minimize distractions with hands-free voice control as well as core features such as the capability to make phone calls and enable audible text dictation. All-new F-150 offers the latest driverassist features as part of available Ford Co-Pilot360 ™ 2.0. More features are now standard on XL, including PreCollision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection to help avoid a possible collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian, rearview
camera with dynamic hitch assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and auto on/off headlamps. Every F-150 SSV is assembled at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, MI, and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, MO, and the order banks are open now.
DODGE
T
he Dodge Police Program has been very successful in the normally Ford-dominated world of Law Enforcement. Dodge has carved itself a nice slice of the Police pie with the Charger and Durango Pursuit vehicles. Selling out the 2020 Charger sedan production was very significant, as the Charger
This ultra-high performance all-season tire is designed for law enforcement fleets and high-speed pursuit applications.
UTQG: SIZES
TREAD WEAR: TRACTION: TEMPERATURE: WIDTH ASPECT RATIO RIM DIAMETER UTQG
METRIC SIZES 225 to 265440 6
Size
Service Description
Load Range
50 to 60
AA
16" to 18"
Vehicle Fitments
225/60R16
98V
SL
Chevy Impala Police; Ford Crown Victoria Inteceptor '98 - 2002
225/60ZR18
100W
SL
Dodge Charger PPV 2011 and later
235/50ZR18
101W
XL
Chevy Caprice PPV 2011 and later
235/55ZR17
99W
SL
Chevy Impala Police; Ford Crown Victoria Inteceptor 2006 and later
245/55R18
103V
SL
Ford Police Inteceptor Sedan & Utility
265/60R17
108V
SL
Chevy Tahoe PPV 2017 and later
* Based on internal test results compared to the Goodyear Eagle RS-A® in the size P235/55R17 98W.
On road results may vary.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: ALEX LAIR @ (704) 587- 6589
A 440 AA A
W W W.GENER ALTIRE.COM
COVER STORY What’s New from the BIG Three for 2021?
Other new standard features include a top speed setting of 140 mph with the ability for Fleet Managers to configure and limit top speed for specific agency needs, electric power steering, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 5,500 pounds to accommodate additional payload.
2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit
T
he 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit will offer more than 20 new standard features. The AWD Durango Pursuit is powered by the standard 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine or the optional legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, both mated to the TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission. Same as the Charger, the engineers have also included a new updated and unique “police” ESC tuning calibration that will enhance the performance of the Durango.
now stands as the only pursuit-rated full-size sedan left in the Police market space.
For 2021, both the sedan and SUV receive a handful of significant updates, and the order banks are now open; however, the two vehicles will have staggered production starts. Both of these vehicles are equipped with new transmissions and high-tech options designed to enhance officer safety, responsiveness, and fuel efficiency. “Designed and built based on input from our Police Advisory Board and direct officer feedback, the 2021 Dodge Charger and Durango Pursuit deliver on our promise to offer police agencies the most advanced law-enforcement vehicle lineup in the industry, whether as a sedan or a sport-utility vehicle,” said Head of U.S. Sales Jeff Kommor. Dodge is making the company’s TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic gearbox available to both powertrains it offers in the Charger. Dodge is offering a new V6 with all-wheel drive and the Hemi V8 in a rear-wheel-drive setup. Dodge is somewhat protective when it comes to the specific details of each powertrain, but recent product info suggests that for 2021, the Pentastar is now rated at 300HP compared to 292HP in the 2020 model, and torque is now 264lb-
20 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
ft compared to 260lb-ft last year. Dodge does say both powertrains exceed the acceleration, braking, and handling profiles of the previous vehicle. To enhance these powertrains even further, the engineers have also included a new updated and unique ESC tuning calibration that will enhance the performance of the Charger and Durango Pursuit. Every Law Enforcement Fleet Manager knows the real test of these changes will be when MSP and LASD put all three OEM police vehicles through their annual vehicle testing in September and October.
Other notable improvements include an IP-mounted shift lever to free up valuable space in the center console area. This is a very big deal, because not having the shifter on the steering column was a showstopper for some agencies, which forced them to consider one of the other pursuit-rated SUVs. This move also allows agencies to transfer equipment from one vehicle to another as the older Durangos required a unique center console that had to be specially made to allow space for the shifter, but not anymore. In keeping with tradition, the Durango Pursuit has the black steel wheels
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COVER STORY What’s New from the BIG Three for 2021?
with chrome center caps, steering wheel-mounted programmable auxiliary switches, and police-specific front seats to accommodate duty belts and enable easier access to seat-belt latch points. “These features, such as the new IPmounted shift lever, free up valuable space between the front seats to accommodate the police aftermarket equipment needed for the officers to accomplish their jobs,” Kommor said. Other key features now being offered are the upfit-friendly Vehicle Systems Interface Module, which allows much simpler and faster connectivity to OEM electrical systems for customizing policeonly features such as lighting and battery protection, and safety features. The vehicle systems interface module features a radio mute input, pulse-width modulation vehicle speed output, reverse position output, and drive position output. The heavy-duty BR9 brake package is a must with the Durango Pursuit along with standard vinyl flooring and a trizone climate control system designed with K-9 units in mind. The Durango Pursuit has a top speed setting of 130
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mph with the ability for customers to configure and limit for specific agency needs. Agencies that wish to deploy unmarked units will have several new color options available as well. For agencies that prefer the “ Fleet Key Alike,” this feature is available on both the 2021 Charger and Durango Pursuit and is compatible between both models. As for OEM multimedia systems, arguably one of the best on the market is the available Uconnect ® 12.1-inch touchscreen, which allows integration of law enforcement systems while relocating the agency computer to the trunk for optimal space savings. It is designed to be operated with gloves and in extreme temperatures while maintaining unrestricted access to vehicle controls. Production of the 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit starts in the first quarter of 2021 at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The Dodge Police Program will still have the Ram 1500 SSV for 2021. It is a carryover with no changes, but for 2021, they will also offer a Ram HD SSV package as well.
General Motors Chevrolet
F
or 2021, the GM Police and Law Enforcement lineup includes the pursuit-rated Tahoe PPV, Tahoe SSV, and Silverado SSV.
After the release of the all-new 2021 retail Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade lineup, the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) remains the only pursuit-rated body on frame Police SUV still on the market since the competition no longer uses body on frame. Available in either 2WD or 4WD, the Tahoe PPV has an entire host of safety features like Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Emergency Braking. The 2021 Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle has been engineered and built to meet the extensive needs of today’s law enforcement community. Using the redesigned retail 2021 Chevy Tahoe as its foundation, Tahoe PPV features all the performance of its predecessor, with a smooth ride, greater interior space, larger load capacity ( GVWR), and new towing technology. The big news is a new independent rear suspension, which promises improvements in ride quality and handling.
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COVER STORY What’s New from the BIG Three for 2021?
The Tahoe PPV model will come with standard Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires, pursuit-rated all-season tires that GM developed alongside Firestone, and a heavy-duty braking system with Brembo six-piston front calipers and 16-inch rotors. A heavy-duty rear differential and lower, more stiffly sprung suspension complete the pursuit-focused performance add-ons. Inside, an ergonomic design tailored to officers makes entry and exit easier while the police-specific seats are contoured to accommodate duty belts. Plus, extensive electrical architecture featuring updated wiring harnesses simplifies upfitting in both the front row and cargo areas. To power onboard electronics, both the Tahoe PPV and SSV will come with a 760-amp auxiliary battery and a new high-output alternator that is 47 percent more powerful than the one found in the 2020 model. Available second-row seat delete reduces cost, while officers will have improved situational awareness with greater views thanks to larger dimensions and a higher roofline. Increased trailering capacity up to 6,000 pounds for 2WD and optional 4WD to help eliminate the need for a dedicated towing vehicle. The
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Tahoe remains one of the most popular SUVs for K9 units, and the improved ergonomics that will help officers get in and out of the vehicle quickly will be especially beneficial for K9 officers. Specifically useful for K9, the rear door openings are 3.5 inches wider than the previous generation to make K9 deployments faster and safer but will also assist with the loading of suspects who may not be as cooperative as they should be. The Tahoe SSV is not pursuit-rated but is one of the few 4X4 Special Service Vehicles with available Off Road Suspension Package and Off Road tires. It carries a maximum payload of 1,670 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds. These units are typically used for agencies that deploy in rural areas where pursuits are usually never on a paved surface and the ability to overcome difficult terrain is paramount to the deployment, more so than top speed and racetracklike handling. The Silverado SSV is GM’s Police pickup and while not pursuit-rated like its Ford counterpart, it is a very rugged alternative for Law Enforcement. The Silverado SSV carries the honor to be the only Police
pickup that comes with factory-installed, warrantied spot lamps and available wiring provisions agency install. The steel body architecture and bed with hinged aluminum doors and hood offer the best combination of durability and fuel economy. Both the general-purpose Tahoe PPV and off-road-focused Tahoe SSV are powered by GM’s 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 and 10speed automatic transmission. The engine in the PPV model benefits from LT4 V8 rocker covers, which improve crankcase ventilation, along with a heavy-duty oil cooling system developed specifically for Law Enforcement applications. Sergeant Brad Brewer is a 30-year member of the Vancouver Police Department. He was an eightyear member of the Ford Police Advisory Board and regularly gives presentations at law enforcement conferences on mobile computing, wireless technology and police vehicle ergonomics. He can be reached at sgt1411@gmail.com.
FEATURE
Component Reliability in Emergency Vehicles
SYSTEM LEVEL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ENSURING COMPONENT RELIABILITY IN EMERGENCY VEHICLES BY ERIC GRAHAM
26 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
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olice and emergency vehicles have increasingly become more complex with a growing number of systems and components required to support the expected operational readiness and mission scope. Beyond the traditional needs for lighting and siren control systems as well as radio communications, new technologies have become necessary mainstays for agencies and fleets. In-vehicle computer systems and laptops have established a permanent place next to the driver’s console. Real-time, data-rich, secured communications with dispatch and data centers via 4G routers have replaced slow, radio-based uplinks. Video camera recording and storage systems are practically mandatory, as is the ability to upload recordings via WiFi or 4G networks. K9 units introduce more complexity than ever with life support systems, remote door release, and alarm reporting.
This abundance of systems not only requires more space within the vehicle, they also are competing for that space with general safety and emergency equipment, weapons, and medical supplies. The competition for valuable real estate within the vehicle necessarily prioritizes items that require immediate availability, resulting in the majority of electrically powered systems being tucked away in increasingly smaller compartments such as center consoles, spare tire compartments, and engine compartments. Similarly, the multitude of power and control wires interconnecting these systems has grown with large wire bundles routed throughout the vehicles within minimal cableway spaces. With the challenge of ensuring a robust vehicle installation that works flawlessly for the expected operational lifetime, the potential for system or component failure is higher than ever. A wide range of individuals and groups are involved with the selection of components and systems, including upfitters, fleet managers, technicians, and end users. However, it is vitally important that the owner for the overall system success and safety be clearly defined. During the system definition stage for a build, the typical focus is on component selection and communication interoperability. While these are no doubt important areas of focus, an equally important yet often overlooked issue is the need to ensure safe and effective switching, distribution and protection of the electrical power derived from the OEM vehicle systems. Once a system of components is determined, the specifying agency has ultimate accountability for ensuring all components and associated electrical circuits can adequately operate in the intended vehicle system. While the responsibility of ensuring successful system performance can be delegated (e.g. to an upfitter), the agency must make all efforts to ensure all potential risks are considered and addressed. At the component level, four critical questions need to be asked and answered for each system component in the expected installation location.
1. What is the expected moisture (water) and particle (dust) environment, and can the component operate as expected in those conditions? 2. What Electromagnet Interference (EMI) tests has the component passed and do those tests sufficiently represent the stringent standards set by automotive OEMs? 3. What are the expected minimum and maximum ambient temperatures, and how has the component proven it can operate at those temperatures? 4. As part of the component temperature testing, what were the specific test conditions and how do those conditions differ from the expected installation? It is critical to recognize that while individual components are validated by manufacturers that market products as suitable for installation in emergency vehicles, those components are almost universally tested individually and with evaluation criteria that may or may not meet the needs of your particular build. Question #1 deals with the Ingress Protection (IP) provided by the component. We have outlined the sealing protection expectations for several IP levels in the attached table. Components designed to be installed in the engine compartment or outside of the body of the vehicle should resist both dust and water intrusion to ensure long life and hold an IP rating of IP66, IP67, or IP69K. Components located within the vehicle can carry a lower IP rating and some manufacturers simply do not provide a rating for such components. However, consideration should be made for likely dusty environments such as truck compartments before determining that an unsealed product would be sufficient.
The second question relates to a component not causing excessive electrical emissions and similarly being able to withstand various levels of electrical abnormalities and emissions from other components. Well-vetted standards for limits of emissions and levels of immunity have been developed by SAE (J1455 & J1113) North America and ISO (11452) / IEC (EN 61000) in Europe. Additionally, vehicle components should be able to withstand potential electrical abnormalities caused by
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FEATURE Component Reliability in Emergency Vehicles
human error including over-voltage charging (+24V) and reverse polarity. While infrequent, these situations can and do happen and components must be able to withstand them and resume normal operation once the abnormality is corrected. The final two questions involve operational temperature and require a detailed verification to ensure a successful system. Successful low temperature operation requires knowledge of the intended operational conditions. Vehicles used in the southern United States do not need to operate at the extremely low potential of -40 Deg C, which is the temperature a vehicle could be called to operate at in Minnesota,
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Wisconsin, Michigan, or the Canadian territories, for example. System components need to utilize automotive-grade electronics to ensure long-term operation in extremely cold weather. The typical operational temperature range of standard electronic component grades are shown here and should serve as a helpful talking point with component manufacturers. Successful component operation at maximum ambient temperature involves examining two elements simultaneously and sometimes recursively. Understanding the maximum expected ambient temperature at each installed location is an important starting point. Maximum air temperatures
in various vehicle locations are outlined, where the values should be used as guidance but verified through testing if possible. Special care should be taken to examine components (and electrical wiring) located in small, enclosed spaces subject to self-heating such as center equipment consoles and other locations where one or more heat-generating components are located. In such cases, the spot ambient temperature could be much higher than typical maximum interior temperatures. There is an additional factor that results in raising a component’s effective ambient temperature. To understand this factor, it is important to recognize that emergency vehicle components are typically tested on their own (not part of a system) with electrical feed, return, and ground wires chosen to be representative on expected installs and ambient temperatures simulated by test chambers. Documenting what cable sizes and lengths were used by the manufacturer to verify component operation is an important element of this evaluation, as is comparing those cable sizes to those being contemplated for your system. For components focused on delivering, protecting, or controlling electrical power, cable conductor sizes and lengths play a critical role in determining how much de-rating (the reduction of component capability) should be planned. Electrical components create significant internal heat
that must eventually be dissipated. Circuit breakers and fuses are designed to create this heat as part of their function, while solid state switches and mechanical relays also introduce elevated internal heating as they provide the ability to turn circuit on or off. This excess heat must be removed instead of building up inside the product until it exceeds internal material limits. Because the air inside a component is a poor conductor, the primary method of heat removal for vehicle electrical components is through the power cables entering and exiting the device and then from those cables to the surrounding air. The cables act as a cooling radiator that have an effectiveness proportional to their gauge and length. Larger gauge cables not only conduct heat away from the device more quickly, they act to lower the conductor temperature far away from the component. This is because the cables themselves introduce heating; and for any given amount of current, a larger cable will be cooler than a smaller one. The length of cable provides a diminishing benefit the further away the conductor is from the component. This is because the cable dissipates heat to the surrounding air along its full length, but the temperature along its length is reduced until it reaches the ambient conductor/air temperature equilibrium. A rule of thumb on cable length for component cooling is that cable length beyond 4 feet
from the component is no longer assisting in the cooling of the component. As a result of this knowledge, many published test standards for electrical components specify the test cable length to ensure consistency of expectations.
Understanding that cable length has a measurable effect on elevated temperature component performance, system designers must rigorously evaluate and possibly reconsider component location, cable sizes, and cable lengths. Modern vehicle installs regularly combine multiple electrical components in close proximity, which results in very short cable connections between electrical adjacent components. This not only eliminates a critical cooling element for each component, it introduces an additional heat-generating component in close thermal proximity. The combination of these two effects represents a significant potential degradation in expected component performance or capability that must be either planned or improved. Two illustrations are included as examples of the comparative thermal equilibrium effect due to length of wires between heatgenerating electrical components. Both diagrams reflect a power distribution element within an engine compartment with a circuit breaker (connected from the battery + terminal) with its output connected to a remote switching relay that is then connected to a fuse block designed to protect and distribute small gauge wires to the vehicle. The example with cable lengths sufficient for dissipating the heat from each component results in component temperatures far
Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020 29
FEATURE Component Reliability in Emergency Vehicles
lower than the example with minimal cable lengths between the three components. When cable length is reduced in series component connections, not only is the necessary cooling capacity decimated, the adjacent components act thermally as one component with the combined heat load of all components in the series. The result is either component failure or the recognition that increased de-rating needs to be factored into the component and cable size decisions. While this example outlined an engine compartment application, scenarios with other functional components in locations such as center consoles or rear equipment trays should be evaluated in a similar manner. Completing the thermal verification of components involves a recognition of the need to ensure components operate after considering de-rating factors. After an analysis of potential series heating, which has the effect of increasing the effecting operating temperature, any component subject to measurable reduction in performance within the expected operating temperature must be verified to operate with ratings reduced according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Many manufacturers of temperature-dependent components such as circuit breakers and fuses provide de-rating guidance curves, while other component manufacturers provide parameters at maximum ratings that must be followed to achieve the targets. If deviations
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from manufacturer requirements are planned, further investigation with the manufacturer should follow. Designing a robust system of incremental vehicle components is an increasingly complex task that demands system and component specifiers as well as vehicle upfitters work together to ensure longterm reliability and full operational performance. Several prominent areas of consideration have been reviewed here, however, this should not be considered an exhaustive outline of risk mitigation concerns. Establishing deep engagement with all key stakeholders during the specification and implementation phases of emergency vehicle builds with the goal of identifying and eliminating all potential failure modes is ultimately the best method for delivering a successful finished system to demanding end users. Eric Graham is the President/CEO of Egis Mobile Electric, which develops and manufactures products designed to provide dependable electrical battery saving and circuit protection technology for fleet vehicles.
OFFICER SAFETY
Hardwire Ballistic Armor
HARDWIRE BALLISTIC ARMOR BY HAVIS PROTECTS OFFICERS FROM BULLETS AND PROJECTILES BY DONNA MOY
H
ardwire Ballistic Armor by Havis provides mission-critical ballistic armor for public safety vehicles. Hardwire ballistic panels are proven, high-performance vehicle armor. The armor offers NIJ Level IIIA armor protection, and tests confirm they stop .357 SIG and .44 Magnum ammunition fired from longer barrel handguns as well as shotgun fire. This enhanced armor provides additional protection to public safety officers while in the field or on the scene.
“Protecting law enforcement officers is core to our team, and this partnership with Havis provides more officers access to our ballistic vehicle armor,” said George Tunis, Hardwire’s CEO. “We are excited to reach more police departments to ensure that they know armor is available, functional, and affordable.” “Exterior ballistic panels are already standard for both the New York and Philadelphia Police Departments,” said Dan Heiland, Product Manager for Material Handling and Versatile Solutions at Havis. “Our solutions support a range of vehicles already in the field, and they are simple to install, which means minimal downtime for police vehicles.” Hardwire’s armor kits from Havis offer a complete external solution that includes an exterior door with handle protection as well as a window insert solution. The OEM car windows, including opening and closing, are fully functional while protecting officers’ heads and necks. The exterior ABS serves as a visible deterrent. The kits are light and durable, easy to install or remove, and transferable to like models. From vehicle-specific consoles to unique device mounts to K9 transport systems and more, Havis offers a dash-to-trunk line of purpose-built and innovative solutions that complete the purposebuilt police vehicle.
The History Behind Hardwire Ballistic Armor by Havis
Havis and Hardwire began collaborating over two years ago after an industry partner made the introduction. Their first joint customer, Philadelphia Police Department, opted for Hardwire Ballistic Armor by Havis for all new vehicle purchases’ windows and doors. At that point, Havis became Hardwire’s official sales and distribution partner in the market. 32 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
Hardwire is a leading manufacturer of protective armor for two decades, producing armor systems trusted and used by the military, law enforcement, municipalities, private business, consumers, and school systems. Havis has an extensive history of serving the public safety market and can leverage Hardwire’s distribution network to reach end-users. For more information, contact media@havis.com or visit https:// www.havis.com/catalog/Hardwire_Ballistic_Armor-51353-1.html Donna Moy is the Director of Product Strategy & Marketing at Havis, Inc., whichmanufactures mobile office solutions for members of public safety, utility and public works, military and government, transportation industries, and other mobile professions.
FOCUS
Ford’s Latest Tech Helps Police Vehicles Neutralize COVID-19
PACKING HEAT:
HOW FORD’S LATEST TECH HELPS POLICE VEHICLES NEUTRALIZE COVID-19 BY BRAD BREWER
34 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
WWW.MEDIA.FORD.COM
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world forever and with that change comes new innovations to help all of us overcome and adapt to our new world. As the leader in the Police vehicle market, Ford has stepped up in numerous ways to assist our fi rst responders with a multitude of new innovations. Ford factories were some of the first to engineer and produce PPE equipment and also life-saving ventilators.
Ford is not a company that waits for innovation; they are the creators of new innovation and especially in their Police vehicle program. As the first to engineer and design the safety feature called “Surveillance Mode,” which they also made available to other vehicle manufacturers and the military, Ford has always been determined to make their products the safest possible vehicles available to Public Safety. The new version of Surveillance Mode is now the much-improved factory-installed “ Police Perimeter Alert.” It uses BLIS ® (Blind Spot Information System) sensors for approximately 270-degree monitoring outside of the vehicle and analyzes the motion to determine if a behavior is a potential threat. It features a visual display in the instrument panel cluster that shows moving objects, the motion trail, and therefore the possible threat level. When potentially threatening behavior is detected, it also will sound a chime, activate the Rear View Camera, and automatically roll up the windows and lock the doors. When COVID-19 hit, Ford stepped up again with two engineers who had an idea on how to disinfect Police vehicles using external portable heaters by placing them in the vehicles. Th is idea looked prom-
ising, but the logistics of moving the equipment around was determined to be cumbersome and likely not well received by large fleet customers. So the question the engineers had to answer was, “How do we use existing invehicle hardware and software to create an environment inside the vehicle suitable to neutralize coronavirus quickly and efficiently?” At the same time Ford was looking at this idea, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) was actively looking for the same solution with their existing fleet. NYPD has a very large fleet of Police vehicles and as New York became the epicenter for COVID-19, the shortage of ambulances essentially turned every police vehicle into a COVID-19 patient transport vehicle. That in itself became a significant problem, because how do you reuse a vehicle that just transported a COVID-19 patient? NYPD tried many of the suggested chemical solution cleaning processes like many other Police agencies, but chemicals are harsh on people and vehicles, and there is no way to foresee the long-term effects of all those chemicals. How do you know if the vehicle is actually disinfected? Actually you do not, because no matter how hard someone tries, there are some areas that are going to be missed. The Ford engineering team initiated a project in late March to de-contaminate vehicles using heat. Shortly after, a discussion with the NYPD alerted Ford to its need for a more efficient disinfecting process during the pandemic. This immediate demand from NYPD pushed the engineering team even harder to find a feasible solution, because now there was a clear need to move fast. Th e solution that the engineering team came up with is
Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020 35
FOCUS Ford’s Latest Tech Helps Police Vehicles Neutralize COVID-19
agencies across the country can utilize to help reduce the footprint of the COVID19 virus. Th e actual software solution uses the vehicle’s existing powertrain and climate control systems to temporarily raises interior temperatures beyond 133 degrees Fahrenheit (hotter than Death Valley on the hottest day) for 15 minutes to help reduce the viral concentration inside the vehicle by greater than 99 percent. Ford worked with The Ohio State University to determine the temperature range and time needed to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, Ford conducted software operational trials with vehicles owned by the New York City Police Department, Los Ange-
nothing short of remarkable when you think about the complexity of the challenge faced by the engineers and the time frame in which they solved it. This idea was developed and launched in six to eight weeks, stunning when you really grasp the depth of the issue. Ford commissioned The Ohio State University to test surface samples located inside the vehicle, providing verification that heat beyond 133 degrees Fahrenheit applied to these surfaces for 15 minutes will help reduce the viral concentration inside the vehicle by more than 99 percent. This COVID-19 neutralization solution turned out to be a new heated software enhancement for its Police Interceptor Utility and one that law enforcement
les Police Department, and others. Th is latest example of smart vehicle technology, this software solution is available immediately on all 2013-19 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world. “First responders are on the front lines protecting all of us. They are exposed to the virus and are in dire need of protective measures,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford chief product development and purchasing officer. “We looked at what is in our arsenal and how we could step up to help. 36 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
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FOCUS Ford’s Latest Tech Helps Police Vehicles Neutralize COVID-19
In this case, we have turned the vehicle’s powertrain and heat control systems into a virus neutralizer.” So how exactly does this unique software/ hardware solution work, you ask? Once activated, the vehicle’s powertrain and climate control systems work together automatically to elevate passenger compartment temperatures. The software warms up the engine to an elevated level, and both heat and fan settings operate on high. The software automatically monitors interior temperatures until the entire passenger compartment hits the optimal level, then that temperature is maintained for 15 minutes. “Our studies with Ford Motor Company indicate that exposing coronaviruses to temperatures of 56 degrees Celsius, or 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit, for 15 minutes reduces the viral concentration by greater than 99 percent on interior surfaces and materials used inside Police Interceptor Utility vehicles,” said Jeff Jahnes and Jesse Kwiek, laboratory supervisors at The Ohio State University department of microbiology. Agencies and Fleet Managers will have multiple ways to monitor progress of this solution as it is being applied to each vehicle. Hazard lights and taillights will flash in a pre-set pattern to notify when the process has begun, then will change at the end to signal completion. The vehicle’s instrument cluster will also indicate progress. A cooldown process brings the temperature down from its highest points. 38 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
This heated process can be used by law enforcement regularly to help sanitize vehicles when officers are not inside. When used in conjunction with sanitization guidelines approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flooding the passenger compartment with elevated air temperature can help reach areas that may be missed by manual disinfecting procedures. Heat has the ability to seep into crevices and hard-to-reach areas, helping reduce the impact of human error in applying chemical disinfectants. Ford conducted software operational trials in vehicles owned by the New York City Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Michigan State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Boardman Township
Police Department in Ohio, and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. One of the key agencies that was involved early in the development of this process was Boardman Township Police Department in Ohio. Fleet Manager Michael Carkido, a member of Ford’s Police Advisory Board, assisted engineers in the development. Carkido is a strong proponent of this sanitation process. “ We see Ford’s recommended way to help battle COVID along with other germs, viruses, and bedbugs a great asset to our fleet of 30 PIUs. Plugging my portable MyCANIC tool into the vehicle’s OBD port allows me to perform the heat sanitizing as a preventative maintenance or when a cruiser might be or is infected. I believe flooding the interior with extreme high heat gets in all those hard-to-reach areas and is much better than any chemical. The brilliant minds at Ford police engineering have given us another great tool to protect the protectors.” “Law enforcement officers are being dispatched as emergency responders in some cases where ambulances may not be available,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “During one trip, officers may be transporting a coronavirus patient to a hospital, while another trip may involve an occupant who may be asymptomatic.” This solution when used in conjunction with sanitization guidelines approved by the CDC can safely heat the passenger compartment to help ensure vehicles are properly disinfected before being deployed again.
FOCUS Ford’s Latest Tech Helps Police Vehicles Neutralize COVID-19
tool that activates a heating procedure – when combined with Centers for the CDC guidelines – helps reduce virus counts inside the interior of Police Interceptor and Police Interceptor Sedan vehicles. Agencies should follow the Service Procedure steps to perform the virus reduction procedure, which can be found when downloading the IDS enhancement or through their local dealer. Ford will continue working on ways to bring this software capability to additional Ford Police vehicles in 2020, so stay tuned for more updates on additional vehicles being covered by this impressive engineering solution that shows not only does Ford lead the market with new and innovative vehicles, but in the face of adversity, Ford can rise to the challenge to find fast and effective solutions for their customers’ needs. “Officers can now use this self-cleaning mode as an extra layer of protection inside the vehicle i n areas where manual cleaning is prone to be overlooked,” Tyler stated. “This virus is an invisible enemy and we are proud to provide a solution to help the law enforcement community fight it.” So how does your agency get this solution implemented? For the initial rollout, the large departments with their own service centers can install the software solution using their own diagnostic service tools, while other fleets can work with their local dealers to install the software for 2013-19 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles. All 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles will need to have the software enhancement activated through an external tool that connects to the onboard diagnostics port. For 2016-19 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, the heated software process can then be activated by a smart sequence of commands that involves pressing cruise control buttons in a predefined order. 2013-15 model year vehicles must remain connected to the external tool to activate the heated software solution. An operation guide for these processes can be downloaded as well. “Vehicles from the 2013 to 2019 model years make up the majority of Police Interceptor Utility vehicles cur40 Police Fleet Manager Fall 2020
rently in use by first responders,” Tyler said. “Delivering this new capability to these vehicles first allows us to help as many officers as possible, as quickly as possible.” In addition to the 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Utility, Ford has also added the heated software solution availability to the 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan. Sedan vehicles equipped with 3.5L Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (TiVCT), 3.5L TiVCT, or 3.5L EcoBoost engine have a new IDS service function
Sergeant Brad Brewer is a 30-year member of the Vancouver Police Department. He was an eight-year member of the Ford Police Advisory Board and regularly gives presentations at law enforcement conferences on mobile computing, wireless technology and police vehicle ergonomics. He can be reached at sgt1411@gmail.com.
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