Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 Issue

Spring 2021 Vol. 19, No. 1

BE SOCIABLE

NEW 500 SERIES CONTROL SYSTEM WITH BLUEPRINT FROM SOUNDOFF SIGNAL

https://hendonpub.com/police-fleet-manager-magazine/

u

JOIN US ON:

PAGE 8

COVER STORY

5G FUTUREPROOFING

FOR FLEET MANAGERS u

DEX_MASTHEAD.indd 43

PAGE 14 COMMUNICATIONS L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES’ POLICE RADIOS UPDATE

7/6/2020 11:11:03 AM

u

PAGE 22

FOCUS: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS u

PAGE 26

FEATURE: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS POLICE RADIO UPDATE u

PAGE 32

www.pfmmag.com 1

CONTENTS

Spring 2021 I Vol. 19, No. 1

COVER STORY

14 5G FUTUREPROOFING FOR FLEET MANAGERS

The implementation of the 5G wireless service across North America is underway. This improvement delivers the speed of a wired broadband network to wireless devices. Many major cities already have 5G coverage in place, and carriers are busy rolling it out to smaller markets. 5G will allow law enforcement officers to access every aspect of their department’s data resources on their wirelessly connected smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers. This effectively eliminates the data access dividing line between the office and the field.

By Brad Brewer

4

ADVERTISER INDEX

6

NEW PRODUCTS

14

22

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

32

8 NEW 500 SERIES CONTROL SYSTEM WITH BLUEPRINT FROM SOUNDOFF SIGNAL

To create the new 500 Series Control System, SoundOff Signal combined the 400 Series Amplifier and the Central Controller, into one unit, creating a control system that has both bluePRINT and siren functions.

By PFM Staff

10

INDUSTRY NEWS

COMMUNICATIONS

22 L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES’ POLICE RADIOS UPDATE

Situational awareness is crucial for first responders to be able to perform their jobs safely and effectively. L3Harris Technologies’ Public Safety and Professional Communications business is a leading supplier of communications systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial, and transportation markets.

By PFM Staff

26 FOCUS

FEATURE

The Panasonic brand is no stranger to public safety professionals. For decades, Panasonic has been one of the dominant suppliers of evidence capture and management solutions for law enforcement applications. Panasonic’s solutions are fully integrated, the Panasonic Arbitrator in-vehicle video platform has led the industry with complete mobile computing integration as well as body-worn camera integration. The reputation for quality and performance now resides under a new company called Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Corporation of America.

By Brad Brewer

The ability to communicate is critical for first responders, and their radios are integral to keeping them safe while doing their jobs effectively.

Accelerated workflows and missioncritical reliability are now standard features on many of today’s police radios. Motorola Solutions offers top-notch products to keep the lines of communication open for public safety so they can help those they are sworn to protect.

By PFM Staff

26 PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS

32 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS POLICE RADIO UPDATE

www.pfmmag.com Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 3

ADVERTISER INDEX

Spring 2021 I Vol. 19, No. 1

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Company Custom Truck & Body Works, Inc. CO-PUBLISHERS Henry Kingwill and Peter Kingwill EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Henry Kingwill henry@hendonpub.com ph: 224-458-1121 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jennifer Gavigan, Brad Brewer, Yesenia Duran

ARTICLE SUMMARY SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Carl Walanski Article summary goes here. cwalanski@hendonpub.com summary goes here. Article

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

Page 29

Website www.customtruckandbodyworks.com

General Tire

9

www.generaltire.com

GFX Law

7

www.gfxlaw.com

Hendon Media Group

35

https://hendonpub.com/police-fleet-manager-magazine/

i-PRO

11

www. publicsafety.i-pro.com

Jotto Desk

5

www. jottopublicsafety.com

Kussmaul

6

www.kussmaul.com

OPS Public Safety

17

www. opspublicsafety.com

Owens Products

15

www.OwensProducts.com

4, 10, 12

www.PoliceFleetExpo.com

Police Fleet Expo Setina

2

www.setina.com

SoundOff Signal

13

www. soundoffsignal.com

Tufloc

23

www. tufloc.com

Waytek

19

www.waytekwire.com/EGIS

The new STAR LASER is a modular, low profile, full-size lightbar.

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.

POLICE FLEET MANAGER SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION CHANGES Please Recycle This Magazine.

Remove inserts before recycling.

4 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

Post your comments on this story For any subscription changes please by visiting www.pfmmag.com e-mail us at pfmmag@gmail.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

PRO-VISION® Introduces New Hybrid HD In-Car Video System for Law Enforcement www.provisionusa.com Pro-Vision Video Systems has announced the release of its new 900 Series Hybrid HD In-Car Video System for law enforcement. The system provides class-leading 360-degree video coverage in and around law enforcement vehicles in high definition, in addition to simplified video management with automatic video upload options. Users can capture crystal-clear video evidence that tells the full story of what happened as the 900 Series Hybrid HD In-Car Video System records in full 1080p HD with multiple cameras providing 360-degree coverage, including the addition of two new cameras specifically designed for law enforcement applications. The new AHD Internal Mini-Dome Camera provides unmatched door-to-door rear seat coverage with a built-in microphone and night vision recording to capture all the important details, while the new AHD Exterior Side Camera allows for full 360-degree rotation for customizable camera aiming and blind-spot coverage to help prevent accidents.

Users also have the option to add an in-cab monitor to provide camera views and monitor the rear seat area for complete situational awareness. The system helps to keep the focus on the situation at hand with Automatic Activation when vehicle lights or other triggers are activated, including the ability to have the system automatically activate a Bodycam 4 body-worn camera that is within 30 feet of any vehicle.

Managing the video captured by the system is also simplified with customizable Automatic Video Upload options.

Users can save time by configuring the system to automatically upload videos • 63 watt max output allows directly to the SecuraMax™ Cloud Evicharging of two devices at the dence Management Solution through a same time USB-C 45 watts/ 4G connection in the vehicle or through USB-A 18 watts max. a WiFi connection when returning to the station. In SecuraMax, users can easily • Built-In LED Indicator manage all their video evidence in one • Designed for easy installation location on a CJIS-compliant Microsoft • Connect to 12V or 24V switched Azure™ platform backed by advanced ignition or directly to battery chain-of-custody protocols and customizable secure file sharing options that puts users in complete control of their video evidence. SecuraMax also simpliModel 091-264 fies the evidence management process with customizable evidence tags and retention cycles that can be automatically applied to your video evidence. To learn Supporting First Responders more, visit www.provisionusa.com Since 1976

NEW USB-C/USB-A DUAl ChArgiNg Port

Charge Electronic Devices In-Vehicle

TM

800-346-0857 • www.kussmaul.com • sales@kussmaul.com

6 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

DYNAMIC DUO WE RIDE TOGETHER

GFX IS AWARDED THE FCA-MOPAR®

DODGE DURANGO PURSUIT PROGRAM! The Dodge Durango Pursuit embodies power, performance and speed like no other SUV. While still providing the utmost in utility

with a spacious interior, a daring design and innovative technology.

Combine that with GFX’s 30-years of automotive upfit experience in Electrical Pre-Wiring, Lighting, and Graphics to name a few.

It’s no wonder why GFX is the preferred vehicle upfit partner.

Dodge Durango SSV 2021 Sales code Guide

GFX LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES

WWW.GFXLAW.COM | 1-800-739-6837

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

NEW 500 SERIES CONTROL SYSTEM WITH BLUEPRINT FROM SOUNDOFF SIGNAL WWW.SOUNDOFFSIGNAL.COM

T

o create the new 500 Series Control System, SoundOff Signal combined the 400 Series Amplifier and the Central Controller, into one unit, creating a control system that has both bluePRINT and siren functions.

Some key features of the NEW 500 Control System include: • 100% Programmable...using inputs, outputs, and logic-driven matrices • 15 Solid-State Fuseless Outputs…that can control all flashing functions • 5 Relay Driven Outputs…for things like computers, printers, or power distribution harnesses The solid-state outputs allow for on-the-fly pattern changes, low power functionality, cruise mode functionality, or even something more advanced, where users could have a flash pattern that is flashing over a cruise mode function.

Additionally, users have the ability to control the lightbar by just plugging it right into the 500 Series amplifier. No breakout box! In fact, users can directly connect two lightbars without the need for a breakout box, and each of the lightbars can be independently controlled for enhanced functionality.

If two lightbars are not enough, users still have the option to go back to external type breakout boxes where they can control three or

8 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

more lightbars. Going this route can also provide additional wire to wire inputs for the bluePRINT system, which offers additional flexibility and function during programming.

Last, the 500 Series Control System also supports the same expansion components just like its predecessor. This means it can fully integrate with bluePRINT Remote Nodes, bluePRINT Link, and bluePRINT Sync.

The NEW 500 Series Control System has many more features, which can be found here: https://soundoffsignal.com/product/500series-siren/.

About SoundOff Signal SoundOff Signal is an integrated, strategic lighting and controls manufacturer with approximately 400 employees across their Corporate Headquarters & Customer Center in Hudsonville, MI. SoundOff Signal Hudsonville, MI 49426 800-338-7337 www.soundoffsignal.com

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

50 to 60

AA

16" to 18"

Size

Service Description

Load Range

225/60R16

98V

SL

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

Vehicle Fitments Chevy Impala Police; Ford Crown Victoria Inteceptor '98 - 2002

* 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

INDUSTRY NEWS

Registration Open for Police Fleet Expo 2021 (Aug 16-19, 2021 in Richmond, VA) Get a jump on your colleagues and secure discounted early bird pricing for Police Fleet Expo 2021 by clicking on this link: www.policefleetexpo.com.

Once you are registered, you can download and log in to the Bizzabo app to stay connected. Police Fleet Expo (PFE) is a 4-day interactive meeting place that offers a Ride & Drive event, networking opportunities, vital educational training sessions, and an expo…providing exhibitors and attendees some great one-on-one time to discuss exciting new vehicle-related solutions, trends, and technology.

having developed the first backup alarm. Today, they hold over 200 patents, including the newly launched Matrix system, which simplifies the systems integration of the siren and lights in a police vehicle. ESG’s brands are trusted by the world’s leading on-highway medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle manufacturers; off-highway agricultural, material handling, and mining and construction vehicle manufacturers; as well as more than 20 U.S. federal agencies and over 100 international law enforcement and emergency services organizations. Clarience Technologies is a family of brands (Truck-Lite, DAVCO Technology, Road Ready, RIGID Industries, and Lumitec) focused on bringing total visibility to commercial and recreational transportation. Through data and insights, they improve fleet management, streamline supply chains, reduce total cost of operation, and enhance safety on and off the road.

Westin Automotive Products Acquires Hint Mounts

FCA Is Now Stellantis PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) have officially merged to create Stellantis, bringing together 14 vehicle brands across the globe. With the completion of a merger that has been in the works for more than a year, Stellantis becomes the fourth-largest automaker in the world, by volume, and the third-largest, by revenue.

Clarience Technologies Acquires ECCO Safety Group (ESG) Clarience Technologies has acquired ECCO Safety Group (ESG), a worldwide leader in audible warning equipment and emergency lighting for commercial and emergency vehicles and home to brands like ECCO and Code 3. With nearly 50 years of operating experience, ESG is a global leader in research, design, development, manufacturing, and distribution for the public safety market. ESG has a track record of innovation,

10 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

Westin Automotive Products, Inc., has acquired Hint Mounts, a Meriden, CT-based company operating in the Public Safety vehicle and electronics market. Hint’s products include computer, tablet, keyboard, monitor and specialty mounts, consoles, rear organizers, and electronic products for cars, trucks, and specialty applications. Bob West, president and CEO of Westin, said management believes that the Public Safety and vehicle electronic market will continue to grow for a long time to come. “The combination of Westin and Hint in the public safety market will allow us to offer a full vehicle product program to meet our customer’s needs,” West said. “This acquisition is very strategic and complementary to Westin’s existing product lines, and it should position Westin at the forefront of the Public Safety vehicle segment.” Products include step bars, running boards, grille guards, pit bars, window guards, partitions, seats, Superwinch winches, Jeep products, truck bed mats, cargo racks, toolboxes, LED lights, floor and cargo liners, wind deflectors, and bug shields. Operations will continue to be conducted from the Meriden, CT facility and led

by Hint’s Oscar Gimenez, who will join the Westin team.

New Fleet Consultants at Doering Fleet Management Doering Fleet Management has hired the team of Joanne Cornier and Bob Crowe as Senior Managers for Government Sales and Leasing. For the past 30 years, Doering Fleet consultants have helped fleet managers nationwide. Doering leases and manages all brands of vehicles for government and municipal agencies and assists in building fleet programs that

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

include fleet services, vehicles, and upfitting solutions based on each agency’s unique needs. For more information, visit www. doeringfleetmanagement.com and the government leasing page.

Tesla Model Y Police Car Makes World Debut in New York The Tesla Model Y has now entered the world of fighting crime, commissioned by the Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department, Westchester County, New York. This is the first Model Y that has been purchased and equipped as a police department vehicle…in the world. The Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive was selected and is equipped with state-of-the-art Whelen CenCom Core Lighting technology. Featuring the greatest configurability, speed, and expansion yet, CenComCore is a system created to enhance officer safety with advanced automation and remote connectivity. The department has calculated that the Model Y could save $8,525 on fuel over five years.

Brother Mobile Solutions Announces Key Alliance With Getac Brother Mobile Solutions, Inc, a premier provider of mobile, desktop, and industrial printers and labeling tools recently announced a strategic alliance with Getac, a key subsidiary of MiTAC-Synnex Business Group. The collaboration will enable the companies to bring to market a variety of fully integrated bundled solutions pairing Getac’s rugged tablets and laptops, including new 5G-supported devices with a variety of Brother mobile and industrial barcode printers. As part of the alliance, Brother will provide field-ready printer and accessory bundles that include the popular Brother PocketJet full-page mobile printer, the ruggedized RuggedJet 4-inch thermal receipt and label printer, and Brother’s newly introduced high-speed industrial barcode label printers. These enterprise-grade bundles will be paired with Getac’s devices including laptops and tablets.

The new bundled solution kits represent highly integrated technologies that seamlessly integrate with smart device technologies such as Android™ or Windows and can help enterprises further leverage emerging 5G infrastructure. Ideal for police in-vehicle hand-mounted devices, with USB or BT connections (also, hybrid solutions for in/out of the vehicle with hand-carried or hand-mounted applications with USB or BT connections). Numerous uses for police include accident reports, Amber Alerts, citations, summons, and warrants.

12 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

3-Year Police Motorcycle Warranty from Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson continues to stand behind their Police Program in 2021 while introducing a new standard warranty for the model year 2021 Police duty models. All the MY21 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide® Police model (FLHTP), Harley-Davidson Road King® Police model (FLHP), and Police Sportster (XL883N) ordered for police use will now have a limited 3-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

Harley-Davidson offers specialized training for technicians and officers who serve law enforcement agencies that use HarleyDavidson® Police motorcycles.

2021 Industry Events Several industry conferences and shows have announced their 2021 dates and locations: Police Security Expo: June 29-30 in Atlantic City, NJ

Police Fleet Expo: Aug 16-19 in Richmond, VA

IACP: Sept 11-14 in New Orleans, LA IWCE: Sept 29-30 in Las Vegas, NV AAPEX: Nov 2-4 in Las Vegas, NV SEMA: Nov 2-5 in Las Vegas, NV

Introducing the 500 Series Siren

The most complete, innovative and user-friendly siren in its class. Never before have you had more features at your fingertips, giving you control of your vehicle in a single product.

 Built-in bluePRINT® Central Controller  Built-in break out box to control two lightbars  Enhanced I/O capability  New mechanical siren tones

Contact your SoundOff Signal sales representative to learn more.

 100 and 200 watt versions  Available in remote, console and handheld models for installation adaptability soundoffsignal.com

www.pfmmag.com 13

COVER STORY

5G Futureproofing for Fleet Managers

5G

FUTUREPROOFING

FOR FLEET MANAGERS

BY BRAD BREWER

14 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

Built for

C

urrently, the implementation of the 5G wireless service across North America is underway. This improvement delivers the speed of a wired broadband network to wireless devices. The term “5G” simply means that this is the fifth version (Generation) of the wireless transmission standard being deployed, just as 4G was the fourth generation. In fact, many major cities already have 5G coverage in place, and carriers are busy rolling it out to smaller markets.

The big selling point for 5G is speed, since 4G tops out at a theoretical 100 megabits per second (Mbps), and 5G tops out at 10 gigabits per second (GPS). Essentially 5G is a hundred times faster than the current 4G technology. 5G is typically deployed between 6GHZ and 615 MHZ spectrum.

5G will allow law enforcement officers to access every aspect of their department’s data resources on their wirelessly connected smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers.

This effectively eliminates the data access dividing line between the office and the field. Officers will no longer need to wait for information in the field; they will have the same instant access and ability to deliver and receive mission-critical information. 5G services will also make it easier for officers to prepare and submit multimedia reports from anywhere, including photos, videos, and completed documentation.

This increase in efficiency will likely be welcomed with open arms but with that comes an increase in data. Think for a moment how large video files are, especially if every officer working a 12-hour shift is wearing a body camera and that video is uploaded to a server for storage. Does your agency have the infrastructure in place to service and support the increased storage, let alone does your current wireless provider have the bandwidth to allow the increase in data?

The benefits of digital technology on the road have provided fleet management with efficiencies, visibility, and control that have bolstered safety and strengthened missioncritical communications like never before.

Police officers who interact via ComputerAided Dispatch Systems, Records Management Systems, or Fingerprint and Mugshot systems can have greater flexibility when these systems are accessed outside

the vehicle on their smartphones because 5G networks will be incredibly fast, even in areas with considerable demand and high concentrations of users.

Fleet Managers can also expect networks to be up to five times more responsive, which translates to minimal network delays and much less frustration. Pulling fleet data from a large fleet of vehicles will be immediate and without delay. Bandwidth will likely allow for even more vehicle information to be pulled from the vehicles and delivered in real-time. 5G also opens the door for Over the Air (OTA) software/ firmware updates that previously might have been too big for cellular to handle.

Police Fleet Managers are beginning to understand that there is a whole new digital world beyond what our 4G networks have provided, and they are preparing to embrace the technology that comes along with 5G capacity. With current technologies paving the way for artificial intelligence (AI) vehicles, smart infrastructure, and products, many in Public Safety believe that 5G networks could be the impetus for unprecedented transformation.

5G is a complete redesign of network infrastructure with antenna ranges much smaller than current 4G antennas and towers. This is accounted for by using “Microcells” mounted on buildings, telephone poles, and any other existing infrastructure. This makes the upfitting of police vehicles very important moving forward over the next few years. High-quality, wellgrounded antennas will affect the future of 5G for fleets because of the need to “hit” all these microcells. Careful selection must be undertaken to ensure you have the besttuned antenna for your data needs and as well as the wireless networks in your area.

Agencies with primarily urban responsibility require different antennas compared to rural agencies that might not have the same density of 5G microcells for coverage. Then you must consider antennas with maximum range or range doubling capability. Power loss with 5G is also something you need to be aware of, as shortening distances between antennas and modems is now more important than ever.

Having a heads-up as to what the networks in your area are moving to over the next few years will pay dividends even for your vehicles being upfitted now. Vehicles being built up today should be futureproofed with 5G capability, ensuring all pos-

by a

Dog Boxes Designed for Professional K-9

K9 Insert Units for 2011-2019, 2020+ Interceptor SUV & 2015-2020 Tahoe, others coming soon.

Heavy Duty XL Collapsible Crate.

Available in Gray, Tan or Black.

24W x 36D x 29H – available with door on end or side door.

• Removable bottom tray • Spring-loaded carrying handles • 3 Point Stainless steel latching system • Built tough for heavy use PFM-S/O19

Owned by a former Police Officer

Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 15

Est. 1965

800-726-9367 www.OwensProducts.com

COVER STORY 5G Futureproofing for Fleet Managers

sible spectrum is covered in case things change with wireless carriers in your area.

Anything being installed today should also be backward compatible with 4G and 3G. You also need to consider proper ground plane; the roof is always better than the trunk, but what other electronics are broadcasting on your vehicle’s roof? Another consideration is keeping everything in one place, drill one hole in the roof, not three or four. A good multipurpose low-profile antenna allows for everything through one hole in the roof.

The Public Safety vehicle antenna market has advanced tremendously over the past few years. The major players in the antenna business all make very good products, so you just need to pick the one that covers all your current and future 5G requirements.

AIRGAIN www.airgain.com

Airgain offers a broad and expanding portfolio p of Automotive, Fleet, Public Safety, and M2M antennas. Their high-performance, low-profile antennas are designed for many wireless standards and frequencies, including LTE and 5G cellular with MIMO, WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), and GPS/GNSS. Designed for all environments, their broad range of highly integrated and multi-band products support a variety of applications from kiosk and ATM connectivity to government and public safety vehicular applications. Airgain has over 26 years of experience designing mission-critical automotive fleet and mobile antenna applications. As the original inventor of the low-profile cellular antenna, they are known for their market-leading performance, quality, and long product life. Their antennas build on the best-in-class RF performance, leading design features, and extended operational life of our highly successful fleet and public safety antenna products connecting to almost any vehicular router or modem.

Airgain believes the adoption of 5G will ramp up significantly on a global basis, including in Public Safety networks in the United States. According to ABI Research, 25 percent of network traffic will be 5G by 2023. 5G antenna systems are more complex and highly integrated since they need to support complex active architectures for new configurations, and new frequency block allocations.

This shift in antenna complexity and integration enables Airgain to leverage their expertise and antenna performance, including integration between the antenna and the RF front end, to enhance the performance of their 5G antenna solutions.

In 2020, Airgain launched CENTURION™ Next, the first of the 5G family with WiFi 6 support, as part of the 5G refresh of their Antenna Plus fleet antenna product lines. For international markets, Airgain obtained their first European compliance qualification in 2020, opening the door to the distribution of their 5G-capable fleet and M2M antenna products.

At the start of this year in January 2021, Airgain announced the release of MULTIMAX® Next 5G antennas for the fleet vehicle market. This product is designed with both 6-in-1 and 5-in-1 configurations to deliver the best-in-class performance supporting dual MIMO LTE and 5G bands (includes Band 14, CBRS, and Band 71), 2x2 MIMO WiFi 6E, multi-constellation GNSS, and external whip connector for applications including LMR and Tetra, all in a sleek and compact enclosure.

This antenna checks all the boxes for public safety organizations wanting to invest in a 5G antenna designed to address the next generation of cellular and WiFi technology. These antennas come in either black or white and are available in custom configurations and with optional accessories, supporting North American and international market applications.

Also in January of 2021, Airgain released AirgainConnect® AC-HPUE for FirstNet® and the public safety market. This flagship platform is a game-changer for public safety fleets and plays a pivotal role in Airgain’s automotive offering for next-generation WiFi 6 and 5G. The first product from the AirgainConnect platform is the FirstNet Ready™ HPUE antenna-modem, targeting vehicles used by first responders like Police, Fire, EMS, and Public Safety support vehicles.

16 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

Emergency Vehicle Storage Systems OPS Public Safety optimizes mobile-ready response trailers and command vans.

We consult, design, manufacture, and install a quality turnkey system for first responders. opspublicsafety.com 315-595-3300

COVER STORY 5G Futureproofing for Fleet Managers

The AirgainConnect AC-HPUE antenna-modem includes an integrated high-power LTE modem supporting the 3GPP band, 14 High Power User Equipment output power functionality. This compact vehicle antenna-modem solution tightly couples essential LTE radio components with the antenna system to provide improved connectivity for public safety and fleet vehicles certified for use on FirstNet, built with AT&T. The Airgain Connect AC-HPUE more than doubles the range of existing solutions, a result of its ability to transmit 10 times the power of existing solutions today. The incremental power improves the ability to communicate reliably in challenging environments including dense urban areas, underground garages and tunnels, and it provides a significant advantage for first responders in poor signal coverage areas like rural areas or mountain ranges.

This high-power device bundles the modem and antennas into a compact housing that is placed on the roof of Public Safety vehicles.

The patented design eliminates the coax cables between the modem in the vehicle and the antenna on the roof that is typical of a conventional configuration. This elimination of power loss, plus the added power of HPUE, results in the greatest coverage possible for First Responders. The natural evolution for this product is to add 5G capability in 2021.

PANORAMA ANTENNAS www.panorama-antennas.com

Panorama Antennas Ltd., a leading designer and manufacturer of highperformance RF antennas, is located in London, UK. Founded in 1947 and a family business now in its third generation. Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Panorama Antennas Inc. has been the United States subsidiary to Panorama Antennas since 2010.

Panorama Antennas offer a comprehensive range of high-performance antenna solutions designed with First Responders in mind that support all cellular bands including 600MHz LTE Band 71 and FirstNet LTE Band 14.

In 2020, Panorama Antennas unveiled two brand-new 6006000MHz wideband antenna series: Great White® 5G and Mako® 5G. The Great White® 5G and MAKO® 5G are designed to provide 2x2 MiMo 4G/5G LTE performance from 617-960/1710-6000MHz in a robust low-profile package, the Great White®5G offers increased reliability, throughput, and capability. The MAKO® 5G range has been designed to provide 4x4 MiMo 4G/5G LTE performance from 617-960/17106000MHz in a new distinctive designed, robust, low-profile housing.

The flexible platform of both antenna series allows the main cellular elements to be combined with a number of other functions including GPS/GNSS and up to 6x6 MiMo WiFi 2.4/5.8/7.1GHz. The GPS

18 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

module, which also supports Glonass, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou with 26dB LNA gain and advanced filtering for LTE B13/14 designed to minimize potential in-band interference, making it an ideal solution for today’s high-tech Public Safety and Fleet environments.

The Great White® 5G and The MAKO® 5G are available in black or white housings, which meet IK10 for vandal resistance and IP69K for ingress protection. Delivering reliable and robust performance with enhanced aesthetics, both series allow for single hole mounting and reduce vehicle damage, installation time, and cost.

Supplied with integrated flame-retardant cables (compliant to UNECE 118.01 and EN45545-2) and a halogen-free flame-retardant housing, the Great White® 5G and MAKO® 5G are versatile products suitable for many environments and applications.

Panorama also announced that they will be releasing their brandnew MiMo Sharkee® 5G in Q1 2021, the latest generation of Panorama’s highly popular SharkFin automotive-style combination antenna range.

The MiMo Sharkee® 5G offers 2x ultra-wideband 617-960 / 17106000MHz cellular antenna elements thus covering all 4G/5G LTE spectrum frequencies worldwide, including LTE Bands 42 and 71.

Alongside this, the MiMo Sharkee® 5G adopts up to 4x dual-band WiFi covering 2.4GHz and 5.0-7.1GHz bands and the latest in GPS/ GNSS technology with advanced band noise filtering. Similar to The Great White® 5G and MAKO ®5G, The MiMo Sharkee®5G enables all the communication functions to be performed by a single product installation with a single hole mount on the vehicle roof. The MiMo Sharkee® 5G is designed to fit within the roof rib lines on certain major vehicle manufacturers or can be swapped out on most vehicles with the existing roof antenna. Within the product family is a version that allows for an external whip too – therefore accommodating VHF or UHF voice radio to be used through the single antenna or AM/ FM radio function.

The MiMo Sharkee® 5G housing accommodates a boot mount gasket for better sealing, uses heavy-duty plastic for resilient use, conductive pads on the underside of the antenna for a better grounding, and it also holds the stringent test certificate of IP66. The wideband cellular antenna elements are highly efficient with >12dB isolation and offer between 5-9dBi peak gain, the GPS / GNSS module has advanced filtering for LTE Band 13/14 operations while allowing for connectivity to GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, and Galileo satellite systems. The WiFi elements are also WiFi 6 ready for the latest technology. The MiMoSharkee® 5G also features UN118 compliant cable assemblies, which are demanded by the automotive vehicle sector.

Comprehensive Power Distribution Products from Egis Egis Mobile Electric offers a variety of flexible solutions for your power distribution needs.

The 14-Circuit Power Distribution Module offers an ultra compact solution for your 24/7, ignition switched, and time delay switched power needs.

CT Series Fuse Blocks provide a space saving and cost effective solution for your connections.

RT Series Fuse Blocks provide LED indication for blown fuses to easily identify problem areas and support SAE Circuit Protection Strandards.

In Stock and Ready to Ship!

For more information call 800-328-2724 or visit www.waytekwire.com/EGIS

COVER STORY 5G Futureproofing for Fleet Managers LAIRD CONNECTIVITY www.lairdconnect.com

One of the main complexities and costs for Fleet Managers in catering for additional or new frequencies is not the purchase but the initial installation of antennas and equipment required. In addition, the time out of service for the vehicle in question is an expense. With this in mind, Laird Connectivity has developed a wide range of multi-port antenna products designed to reduce the complexity and time required at the installation stage.

The Gar and Barracuda family of antennas has excellent symmetrical omnidirectional patterns for optimum ‘Around-the-Car’ coverage from an extremely low-profile and aerodynamic antenna. These antennas are configured for Multiple-In-Multiple-Out (MIMO) operations but are also capable of up to six SingleIn-Single-Out (SISO) configurations or a combination of both MIMO and SISO operations. This makes them a very versatile tool for reducing the overall number of antennas required on a fleet vehicle.

Gar antennas are available in 5, 4, 3, and 2 port configurations with a variety of port types to support the specific needs of customers. The models include: • The Gar 5-port with 2 cellular ports, 2 WiFi ports, and 1 GNSS port (Model # VFP69383x22JN) • The Gar 4-port with 2 cellular ports, 1 WiFi port, and 1 GNSS port (Model # VFQ69383x21JN) • The Gar 3-port with 2 cellular port and 1 GNSS port (Model # VFT69383x2NJN) • The Gar 3-port with 1 cellular port, 1 WiFi port, and 1 GNSS port (Model # VFT69383x11JN) • The Gar 2-port with 1 cellular port and 1 GNSS port (Model # VFD69383x1NJN) The Barracuda family has the same form factor as the Gar but adds a Whip, antenna enabling either a third port for WiFi (operating over the low-/high-frequency WiFi bands) or UHF. Barracuda models are available in 6 and 4 port configurations: • The Barracuda 6-port with 2 cellular ports, 3 WiFi ports, and 1 GNSS port (Model #VFH69383B23JW) • The Barracuda 6-port with 1 UHF port, 2 cellular ports, 2 WiFi ports, and 1 GNSS port (Model #VFH69383x22JU) • The Barracuda 4-port with 1 UHF port, 2 cellular ports, and 1 GNSS port (Model # VFQ69383x2NJU-518S) This multi-port approach means that a single low-profile antenna, requiring a single

20 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

thru-hole for installation, can cater up to six channels on the vehicle’s router, allowing for both communication and tracking/location of a vehicle.

For larger vehicles or purely for tracking, Laird Connectivity has developed a range of GNSS antennas including 3, 4, and 5 multiport puck antennas. The low profile and rugged range of antennas can be used for SISO or multi-port MIMO applications and are available with a range of port and connector options: • GNS1559MPF – 1 Port: GNSS • VHP69273x22J – 5 Port: 3G/4G LTE x 2, WiFi x 2, GNSS x 1 • VLQ69273x21J – 4 Port: 3G/4G LTE x 2, WiFi x 1, GNSS x 1 • VLT69273x2NJ – 3 Port: 3G/4G LTE x 2, GNSS x 1 • VMJ24493x – 3 Port: WiFi x 2, GNSS x 1 • VLT69273x11J – 3 Port: 3G/4G LTE x 1, WiFi x 1, GNSS x 1 All of the antennas listed above are IP67 rated, low-profile, high-performance, and designed for a single-hole mount. Along with Laird Connectivity’s unique 5-year product warranty, they offer reliable performance in the harshest of environments.

As well as reducing installation time and expense the multi-port antenna approach also reduces the ‘real estate’ required on a vehicle’s roof or trunk. With a single antenna replacing up to six individual antennas the likelihood of damage to multiple antennas and therefore future maintenance or repair work is vastly reduced. This offers Fleet Operators’ significant advantages for both retrofit of the existing fleet and in the initial fit-out of new fleet vehicles.

This large range of multi-port antennas complements the comprehensive portfolio of industry-leading, rugged, and reliable two-way radio antennas for critical public safety applications including: • Patented low-profile Phantom™ Series Solutions • Full-spectrum VHF, UHF, 700/800/900 MHz, and multiband vehicular antennas • High-performance omnidirectional whip antennas • Permanent, magnetic, and shock-absorbing mounting options One of the final and most important considerations when upgrading or replacing your antennas and routers is to engage with your suppliers. The placement or siting of an antenna on a vehicle, for example, can drastically affect performance for the better or worse. Laird Connectivity has decades of experience and dedicated

support teams who will be able to advise Fleet Operators on the correct placement of antennas for a particular vehicle. Even small differences such as the thickness of the metal to which the antenna is being fixed can affect antenna performance, both inside the car and outside for bodyworn or portable communication devices that depend on the vehicle as a communications hub.

Laird Connectivity simplifies wireless connectivity with market-leading modules, antennas, IoT devices, and customer-specific wireless solutions.

Laird is the Antenna Authority, whose products are trusted by companies around the world for their performance and reliability. With best-in-class support and comprehensive product development services, Laird can reduce your risk and improve your time-to-market.

When you need unmatched wireless performance to connect your applications with security and confidence, Laird Connectivity delivers.

PCTEL 5G READY ANTENNA SOLUTIONS www.pctel.com

5G is here to transform industries.

PCTEL offers high-performance antenna solutions that provide you with the reliable connectivity needed in the 5G transformation of multiple cellular carriers and WiFi networks. We offer a variety of antennas that feature two 5G elements compatible with the world’s leading cellular routers supporting 600 MHz to 6 GHz frequencies. Our 5Gready combination antennas help you increase efficiency and coverage.

TRP-20INT Platform PCTEL’s purpose-designed footprint antenna platform allows seamless installation on leading public-safety sports utility vehicles with narrow ridged rooftops, supporting the high-speed requirements of complex RF communication systems used for critical communications in FirstNet® public safety and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

nication systems used for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and IIoT applications. This antenna supports the world’s leading 5G NR devices supporting frequencies from 600 MHz to 6 GHz frequencies. It features an attractive, compact housing that makes the antenna ideal for indoor or outdoor applications requiring minimum visibility to the antenna. PCTEL’s high-efficiency permanent mount is recommended for the most efficient performance.

GL7X1-IOTCM-5FT PCTEL’s cabinet mount combination antenna offers optimal cellular, WiFi, and GNSS coverage. It is a multi-band, multi-port combination antenna in a single impact-resistant housing. Its design includes proprietary high-rejection GNSS technology for optimal performance and support of multi-carrier voice and data networks.

Coach™ II Platform The Coach™ II advanced 5G FRI antenna platform supports the high-speed requirements of RF communication systems used for ITS and Industrial IoT. The platform incorporates WiFi MIMO, four dual-band WiFi elements, and proprietary high-rejection multiGNSS technology.

Solving Complex Wireless Challenges

PCTEL is a leading global provider of wireless technology, including purposebuilt Industrial IoT devices, antenna systems, and test and measurement solutions. Trusted by customers for over 25 years, they solve complex wireless challenges to help organizations stay connected, transform, and grow.

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.

BMLPV5000 The BMLPV5000 low-profile vertical antenna supports the high-speed requirements of complex RF commu-

Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 21

COMMUNICATIONS

L3Harris Technologies’ Police Radios Update

L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES’ POLICE RADIOS UPDATE

BY POLICE FLEET MANAGER STAFF

www.L3Harris.com

S

ituational awareness is crucial for first responders to be able to perform their jobs safely and effectively. L3Harris Technologies’ Public Safety and Professional Communications business is a leading supplier of communications systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial, and transportation markets. The business has more than 80 years of experience in public safety and professional communications and supports more than 500 systems around the world.

XL Family of LTE Radios

L3Harris has introduced the next generation of the converged XL family of LTE Land Mobile Radios (LMRs) that can access powerful FirstNet® capabilities. FirstNet® is the nationwide public safety broadband network dedicated to first responders and those who support them. Officers rely on their ability to communicate, and crystal-clear audio over the P25 radio system with data sharing provides agencies with more ways to connect in extreme environments.

In emergencies, immediate action and modern technology are vital to successfully respond to crisis situations. Officers on the front line require communication systems that do not fail, enable broad coordination, and are interoperable. L3Harris Technologies is meeting these higher standards by delivering solutions to meet often unforeseen needs of law enforcement agencies.

In the last two decades, a slow and steady communications revolution has occurred. As a result, military personnel and first responders are able to communicate faster, more precisely, and with more unity than ever before in response to internal and external threats.

This allows them to better anticipate, more accurately predict, and respond to the evolving threats posed by foreign adversaries, cyber terrorists, as well as Mother Nature. With every threat or crisis, the industry reacts with solutions that meet the latest challenge.

Reactionary Solutions in Action

When P25 was developed in 1989, it took the events of 9/11 and the subsequent analysis of the 9/11 Commission to advocate for open standards and the elimination of proprietary solutions. The Commission acknowledged the problem that our local and national public safety agencies were closed off from each other, which means they often could not communicate when necessary.

Many agencies used antiquated, analog systems that were not connected due to a reliance on proprietary technology that lacked interoperability and sufficient range. This meant the first responders were often at a disadvantage when responding to an incident or a natural disaster, placing themselves and citizens at risk.

22 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

COMMUNICATIONS L3Harris Technologies’ Police Radios Update

Telecommunication companies and several government agencies responded to the Commission’s report and began to embrace P25 standards aimed at remedying these communications gaps. For instance, P25 radio capabilities were deployed in more than 20 counties in southern Florida over several years. Miami-Dade County is one of the largest counties in the country, and they use L3Harris’ P25 800 MHz radio system. It provides daily public safety communications that showcase the system’s interoperability, unifying 100 agencies and 32,000 users. The system processes more than 5 million transmissions per month and supports the day-to-day communications for state, federal, and tribal agencies in the region.

19 pandemic, it has enabled ambulances to conduct video conferences with hospital emergency rooms to better prepare for critically ill patients before they arrive. Biometric monitors have also been deployed by fire departments to gauge the health of their staff at disaster scenes.

The threats facing the United States have definitely changed over the last 20 years. The coronavirus pandemic, cyber warfare, and natural disasters have dominated the news, and the communications upgrades launched in recent years make our country better prepared to respond. A continued, steady communications revolution is integral to deliver seamless interoperable communication to professionals who need it most, regardless of the crisis.

Uniting Private and Public Sectors

Radio Technology Grants

While these recent technological advances are helping police communicate better, it is important to look at the next innovations that the future might require. Government and public safety agencies have collaborated to create an interoperable broadband network.

FirstNet® was built with AT&T and brought the private and public sectors together for increased functionality across the network, allowing for integration of P25 standards.

With the rollout and adoption of open standards and interoperability, the integration of P25 standards and FirstNet® into critical communications technology is crucial. It must be done while keeping costs down and allowing local governments to utilize their existing more interoperable communications systems. Agencies must be able to communicate with one another regardless of which systems they are using.

Parma, Ohio and FirstNet® Connectivity

The city of Parma, Ohio is a Cleveland suburb of approximately 80,000 people, and it is a prime example of the benefits of FirstNet®. The city had concerns with limited access and communication shortfalls, with only one cell tower that caused difficulties communicating with neighboring police departments and first responders.

With their integration into FirstNet®, Parma’s systems are interoperable with the city’s neighbors, and its first responders can use data transmission in a variety of emergency situations. During the COVID24 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

In 2020, L3Harris Technologies kicked off a partnership with PoliceGrantsHelp.com and FireGrantsHelp.com to provide grant support to public safety agencies seeking funding to purchase the newest radio solutions. PoliceGrantsHelp.com and FireGrantsHelp.com, part of Police1.com and Firerescue1.com, provide first responders access to a national database of available grants. Under this partnership, experts guide public safety customers through the grant process, including identifying available funds, applying for and helping to secure funding for the products they need. To date, the organization has secured more than $250 million in agency grant funding.

“Partnering with PoliceGrantsHelp.com and FireGrantsHelp.com helps public safety and emergency response customers overcome purchasing challenges by identifying and providing grant assistance services,” said Nino DiCosmo, President, Public Safety and Professional Communications, L3Harris. “We have also created a dedicated lineup of L3Harris communications solutions to help them complete their missions.”

XL Portable and Mobile Radios

The L3Harris solutions include the XL-150P, XL-185P, and XL200P handheld portable radios, and the XL-185M and XL-200M mobile radios. L3Harris’ XL mobile radios, or in-vehicle routers, are now certified and approved for use on FirstNet® and are AT&T certified. FirstNet® is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority within the federal

government. FirstNet® is designed with and for public safety and those who are critical to their emergency response.

The FirstNet® Ready™ XL-185M and the XL-200M support access to the physically separate and dedicated FirstNet® network core, FirstNet® First Priority® – which includes always-on priority and preemption for first responders – and the FirstNet® Band 14 spectrum.

“With our entire XL portfolio receiving FirstNet® Ready™ certification, our customers and prospective customers can rely on L3Harris to deliver products that enhance the ability to stay connected, whether by Land Mobile Radio, WiFi, or LTE with FirstNet® connectivity,” DiCosmo said. “We are pleased to continue this collaboration with AT&T and look forward to bringing even more advanced capabilities to our users.”

Before being certified and approved for use on FirstNet®, devices are subject to hundreds of tests that cover a number of aspects, from security to network impacts. This helps to ensure devices meet the critical needs of first responders.

“FirstNet® devices and modules go through an extensive review, so first responders can be confident that L3Harris’ XL-185M and the XL-200M meet our highest standards for reliability, security, and performance,” said Brenda Kittila, vice president, FirstNet® Program at AT&T. “The more tools public safety has access to on their network, the more we can help them achieve their mission.”

BeOn During COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted our way of life over the past year. L3Harris Technologies offered its BeOn software application for free to healthcare and public safety workers, allowing users to turn their smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices into an encrypted public safety radio -- enabling immediate communications to individuals or large talk groups. The BeOn service was available at no charge to agencies responding to COVID-19 operations.

The process to download and begin using the L3Harris BeOn software app takes less than 30 minutes. The technology is meant for devices used by emergency responders including police, firefighters, paramedics, National Guard members, in addition to hospital, health department, and local government workers.

“While first responders rely on handheld radios for their day-to-day communications, many of these healthcare heroes do not carry or have access to handheld public safety radios,” said Dana Mehnert, President, Communication Systems, L3Harris. “Agencies that are currently using BeOn in their communities have called this offering a ‘game changer’ for their COVID-19 response efforts as they are now able to connect many users from a variety of groups without having to issue, manage, and sanitize handheld radios.”

Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 25

FOCUS

Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions

PANASONIC i -PRO

SENSING SOLUTIONS

BY BRAD BREWER HTTPS://PUBLICSAFETY.I-PRO.COM/

26 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

T

he Panasonic brand is no stranger to public safety professionals, especially in the area of law enforcement.

For decades, Panasonic has been one of the dominant suppliers of evidence capture and management solutions for law enforcement applications. It is one of the core reasons why Panasonic products are installed in almost every North American police vehicle working today.

Public safety systems are mission critical, and law enforcement demands highquality, robust products that simply must work all the time. That’s why Panasonic evidence capture and management solutions have weathered the test of time. When other companies market their products as “Ruggedized” or “Mil Spec” tested, it is usually Panasonic products setting the standard by which the others are measured.

Panasonic’s solutions are fully integrated, and for years, the Panasonic Arbitrator in-vehicle video platform has led the industry with complete mobile computing integration as well as body-worn camera integration. That reputation for quality and performance now resides under a new company called Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Corporation of America.

Established on October 1, 2019, Panasonic i-PRO represents a significant change in philosophy relative to the company’s previous go-to-market strategies, product and integrated system offerings, and reseller and technology partnerships.

Panasonic i-PRO will continue to build upon its expansive portfolio with new technologies and advanced AI-driven software and analytics that complement its best-in-class imaging technologies and edge products, and further build on a history of innovation and leadership that spans over 60 years with the Panasonic brand.

Panasonic i-PRO is comprised of the following business units:

Intelligent Surveillance, offering comprehensive IP and analog video surveillance, access control, and analytics solutions for professional applications that combine best-in-class hardware, management, and control software, and deeplearning AI analytics.

Public Safety, providing advanced video solutions for law enforcement applications, including next generation body-worn cameras, in-vehicle video systems, evidence capture and management software, and intelligent analytics such as facial redaction to protect personal privacy.

Medical Imaging, delivering high-performance cameras designed specifically for medical imaging devices and systems, and other industrial applications.

The accelerating evolution of technology has provided law enforcement agencies with a wide array of new tools and resources to help them perform their jobs.

However, budgets and time for learning new platforms and processes are limited.

For these reasons, it is essential to find robust products that best support officers and departments by delivering solutions that save time and money and work as force multipliers.

Technology solutions must reduce complexity for the front line, not add to it! Law enforcement agencies are under greater scrutiny than ever before. It has become imperative to document interactions and events. Accordingly, the use of in-car video systems and body-worn cameras has become widespread, vastly increasing the amount of video being created. This greatly increases the bandwidth and storage space required, along with the time needed to tag and catalog the video, so that it can be easily located and made available for use as evidence within the judicial process.

Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 27

FOCUS Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions

Digital video evidence management has also placed a burden on already overtaxed agencies as thousands of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests require officers to spend time redacting bystanders’ faces before providing video to fulfill requests. When budgeting for a new body-worn or in-vehicle system, many agencies overlook the residual costs associated with disclosure, or the time involved. That is where a comprehensive solution provides efficiency for organizations with Panasonic i-PRO’s complete turnkey evidence capture and management solution.

While many individual products on the market claim to address these needs, the best technology solutions for law enforcement must do more. They need to work together as a single integrated system.

They need to improve overall law enforcement operations, and they need to make busy officers and departments more efficient. Simply put, they need to make work easier, not add layers of complexity.

This must also be done without the need for officer intervention.

The key is seamless integration that allows the officers to maintain complete situational awareness at all times.

Be wary of those vendors who recently jumped on the video bandwagon and now offer free hardware when you purchase their version of a complete video solution. A vendor with no experience in the mobile video space is a vendor who may not be there when issues arise.

Panasonic i-PRO has four areas in their integrated imaging and evidence gathering solution for law enforcement: Body-Worn Cameras

Cameras that can be worn on the body protect law enforcement officers, as well as the populations they serve and protect. The best body-worn cameras deliver outstanding imaging quality with rugged durability and features that make them easy to deploy and use while in the field. Operationally, it is very inconvenient to have to return to the station to replace a battery. You want a BWC with a 28 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

long-lasting battery, preferably one that is quickly swapped in the field. Additionally, a body-worn camera, along with any other mobile technology, should integrate seamlessly with your entire digital evidence system.

The relationship and contact between police officers and the public needs to be based on trust.

Even with the clearly defined authority to do their jobs, law enforcement professionals must develop and maintain confidence that they are committed to caring for the public, which is essential to creating an environment that enables them to truly protect the public. This was one of the initial objectives in deploying body-worn cameras, to deliver incontrovertible evidence in the form of video to support the actions taken by officers responding to an incident, while also providing a new level of accountability to help preserve much-needed public trust.

During an emerging crime or other event, officers must remain focused on their primary responsibilities as responders. This is called situational awareness. In order for technology to provide the supportive role for which it is designed, it needs to function smoothly and seamlessly without getting in the way of the essential work being done. For body-worn cameras, this takes on several meanings.

BWCs should keep running in every kind of weather, including rain, high humidity, and heat, so that evidence capture continues uninterrupted. From an ease-of-use perspective, it should be exceptionally simple to grab and mount, so that it does not slow officers’ response time in an emergency. To make it as quick and easy as possible for active officers to use, it should enable lightning-fast initiation of recording from a number of different inputs, no matter how pressed they are for time.

From an evidence-management perspective, the body-worn camera should enable easy synchronization of video recordings with the invehicle computer system. It should also be fully integrated with the unified digital evidence management platform to preserve a verifiable chain of custody for video evidence. This is a vitally important feature, especially in today’s world of deep fakes where videos can be manipulated to show almost anything happening, and chain of custody challenges could potentially negate the value of authentic incident video.

Finally, the body-worn camera system should provide flexible storage options that enable storage of video evidence on the premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid storage solution, incorporating both.

In-Vehicle Systems

These devices provide your agency with documentation of any officer’s actions during an encounter in the field, from the vantage point of the vehicle on the scene. Obtaining the necessary evidence depends on the in-vehicle system capturing the activity around the police vehicle, in high-definition video. Because officers need to be able to focus on the situation at hand, officers should be able to rely on the system automatically initiating recording for a range of triggers, including vehicle speed, lightbar status, G-forces, doors opening, and weapon lock releases.

Panasonic i-PRO vehicle camera systems capture 360 degrees of activity in HD video. Additional sensors capture vehicle speed,

FOCUS Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions

lightbar status, G-forces, doors opening, weapon lock releases and more, all of which can automatically trigger recording. It is the level of performance and reliability today’s law enforcement professionals demand to document every engagement they encounter on the road and in the field.

Built to survive the demands of law enforcement use, i-PRO’s Arbitrator 360®™ HD system is MIL-STD- 810H-tested for resistance to shock, vibration, extreme temperatures, dust, moisture, and other harsh conditions. Designed based on years of extensive feedback from law enforcement agencies across the country, i-PRO’s 360° HD system’s video technology is purpose-built on the foundation of Panasonic i-PRO surveillance cameras.

One word of caution with regards to MIL-STD-810 testing, do your homework, learn the actual definition of the standards, and read up on exactly how each vendor’s product performed at these tests. There are many products claiming to meet the minimum standards but when you really drill down and read the details, you will see that not everyone’s products passed the exact same tests.

The system’s video processing unit supports up to two 512 GB solid-state hard drives and provides full Power over Ethernet (PoE) to attached IP cameras. The system is equipped with a tamper-resistant key lock, and recording can be activated based on predefined triggers, such as the use of the vehicle’s siren or other devices. Transferring and managing evidence is simple with the system’s built-in wireless options or within i-PRO’s 360° HD CommandR™ Unified Digital Evidence solution. i-PRO’s Arbitrator 360° HD VC30 main camera offers a 65-degree viewing angle. It is equipped with a 30X optical and 12X digital zoom (360X total) and ultra-low-light viewing, enabling and the capture of clear evidence from a distance, even at night. The recent addition of the optional VC35/AS-1 main camera offers a compact camera with a wider angle of view (86 degrees) and updated sensor technology. This smaller form-factor camera improves the officer’s view through the windshield, complying with recent initiatives to achieve this objective. i-PRO’s Arbitrator 360° HD makes recording seamless with 16 automatic and manual triggers to ensure you capture clear evidence from double tapping a wireless mic, to opening a back door, to turning on the lightbar. In addition, the system provides the ability to record evidence simultaneously from up to five different cameras and three audio inputs, with pre-recording for up to 90 seconds, so you will not miss a second. Wireless microphone system can transmit quality audio up to one mile from the receiver.

Unified Digital Evidence Software

With body-worn cameras and in-car systems providing a wealth of video evidence, it is essential to have unified digital evidence (UDE) software that keeps files organized and easily accessible. Your UDE system should enable easy evidence documentation and ensure you are always in compliance with regulations. With this software, you are also protected from chain-of-custody challenges in court.

Staying in control of your evidence is a huge issue that usually does not get the scrutiny it deserves. Unless you have never rolled out a mobile video solution, either vehicle-mounted, or body-worn, you will not be aware of some of the significant back-end challenges before you. Questions arise like, “Whose video actually is this....my agency’s or the camera vendor’s? Does it make a difference if I host the video storage locally in my building, or should it be stored in the 30 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

cloud? Remember when someone says it is stored in the cloud that just means it is in a server in someone else’s building. Can you guarantee that it is in this country? Does that meet your governmental data privacy rules? Panasonic i-PRO allows for all video and audio data to be stored on premises, in the cloud, or in any combination of both knowing you own all the data regardless of where it resides.

The goal of every video capture system is to get the complete picture. Unlock every second of video and audio captured by our body-worn cameras and in-car video systems, with GPS data, vehicle speed, G-forces, and even motion data from officers wearing bodyworn cameras. All files are encrypted and hashed, so your evidence stays secure from capture to court to archiving.

The software maintains all original files entered into the system.

Every redaction and edit occurs on a separate, tracked file, so you document changes and authenticate evidence integrity. Log the chain of custody automatically, so you are always ready to comply with audits and produce documentation.

It also works with existing Panasonic i-PRO camera systems, so it can be upgraded to more efficient, more secure workflows without investing in new hardware.

Redaction Software

Agencies are tasked with responding to an increasing volume of FOIA requests. This can consume a tremendous amount of manpower at a time when agency budgets are more pressed than ever.

The best automated redaction software can significantly reduce the manual effort of editing your video files and allows you to respond more quickly and efficiently to FOIA requests.

Facial recognition technology has brought both new capabilities and new scrutiny to law enforcement operations. While the ability to identify criminals from surveillance video undoubtedly aids in the process of arrest and conviction after a crime has been committed, there has been growing resistance to the creation of massive identity databases and the notion that any individual can be “watched” or “tracked.”

With the huge numbers of FOIA requests being handled by law enforcement today, agencies have been forced to allocate more and more personnel time to editing video. This is exacerbated by the growing volume of video from body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, mounted surveillance cameras, and the mobile phones of millions of individuals. One of the most time-consuming aspects of this video editing is the manual redaction of people’s faces to protect the identities of those bystanders not involved in the incidents.

Recognizing the vital importance of building and maintaining trust with our communities, it is crucial that agencies leverage available software solutions to address privacy concerns wherever possible. Here again, there is technology that can help. Using combined AI and machine learning to automate the video redaction process, existing software can reduce the time needed for the manual processes of uploading, storing, searching, editing, and sharing video content. As with the BWC, in order for this software to provide a supportive role to law enforcement, it needs to offer a number of essential features.

Your redaction solution should be fully automated with the ability to upload multiple videos for overnight batch redaction processing. The user interface should be easy to learn and operate, with convenient administrative tools for secure multi-user management.

Most importantly, it should have the capability of working with all videos in the mp4 format, so that you are able to easily and conveniently protect the privacy of individuals on any video you have – including from iPhone and Android devices.

Ideally, like your body-worn cameras, it should also integrate with your other systems, including your digital evidence management software. This provides further support for chain-of-custody evidence authentication. And finally, it should offer storage options both on-premise and in the cloud.

Digital evidence has become an essential tool for law enforcement operations and investigations. With more and more data available, without the right solution to properly manage and handle digital information, departments can become overwhelmed. However, with the right technologies in place, your digital evidence becomes a powerful resource to protect officers in performing their duties.

Today’s law enforcement officers are facing unprecedented challenges. While new technology, such as facial recognition, is reaching the market to aid in identifying and prosecuting criminals, there is also a growing resistance due to concerns about privacy issues. Additionally, new gains are being made in civil rights and equality causes, and these are often accompanied by civil unrest with the potential for harm and injury. In such turbulent times, it is essential to take every step possible to maintain public trust and safety without compromising the ability to fully execute law enforcement professionals’ mission to serve and protect.

Fortunately, this is where technology can also help to build bridges with communities. Some of the very same solutions that have raised questions can also provide answers, thereby addressing some of the most pressing problems facing law enforcement professionals right now.

While the cultural and social environment may be changing rapidly, the responsibility of law enforcement officers remains the same. Technology itself is morally neutral – it is the intent of the user that matters.

By using emerging technology to empower our work, agencies can take a meaningful step to better meet the needs of our communities.

A complete public safety solution means not only front-line video but should also include or be futureproofed for infrastructure safety through video. Panasonic i-PRO offers solutions for law enforcement as well as municipalities. The Panasonic i-PRO Secure Cities program delivers the most comprehensive portfolio of industry-leading tech-

nologies combined with highly experienced engineering, sales, and support personnel who understand the demands and challenges municipalities face today. By seamlessly integrating best-in-class imaging solutions, video and access management platforms, law enforcement technologies, and intelligent analytics, the Panasonic i-PRO Secure Cities program greatly enhances security and municipality operations. it also offers the performance, reliability, cost-efficiency, and personal privacy local government officials and taxpayers can trust.

The Panasonic i-PRO Secure Cities program provides innovative solutions for:

• Municipal Surveillance and Security • Law Enforcement Surveillance Systems • Traffic Monitoring • Public Health and Safety Compliance • Public Events and Venues • Mass Transportation Hubs • Schools and Universities The Panasonic i-PRO Secure Cities program is a comprehensive initiative designed to provide the best in technology, incentives, tools, and ongoing support. Panasonic i-PRO has a team of seasoned surveillance, security, and law enforcement technology experts that can help local government officials navigate the entire process of implementing smart technologies for smart city applications, from defining needs to setting budgets and securing funding for system design, to installation, implementation, and support.

The Panasonic i-PRO Secure Cities component is the final piece of a comprehensive video solution provided by a company with an unprecedented legacy of law enforcement support and a reputation for technology solutions that just simply work.

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.

Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 31

FEATURE

Motorola Solutions Police Radio Update

MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS POLICE RADIO UPDATE

https://www.motorolasolutions.com

By Police Fleet Manager Staff

32 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

T

he ability to communicate is critical for first responders, and their radios are integral to keeping them safe while doing their jobs effectively. Accelerated workflows and mission-critical reliability are now standard features on many of today’s police radios. Motorola Solutions offers top-notch products to keep the lines of communication open for public safety so they can help those they are sworn to protect.

APX NEXT SMART RADIO

APX NEXT® Project 25 (P25) smart radio is Motorola Solutions’ most advanced radio. It provides mission-critical voice communications on land-mobile radio (LMR) networks while using broadband networks for data applications. APX NEXT combines Motorola Solutions’ trusted line of APX radios with a rugged touchscreen and applications built for public safety. Motorola Solutions now offers new intelligent and intuitive application services for APX NEXT. These enable users to quickly find each other on an interactive map and share multimedia messages.

“APX NEXT is first and foremost a radio featuring our most advanced audio technology. Where it sets itself apart is in its ability to simultaneously use LMR networks for voice communications and broadband networks for data applications. We designed these apps specifically for public safety,” said Scott Mottonen, senior vice president of Products, Motorola Solutions.

Available in multi-band and single-band, Motorola Solutions’ APX NEXT advances usability and performance of police radios.

A major advance in mission-critical voice and data, APX NEXT is designed to meet military standards for extreme ruggedness.

The touchscreen works with or without gloves and in inclement weather that can result in rain, dirt, and dust. Digital microphones and high-power speakers deliver outstanding audio, and the SmartConnect keeps officers connected, even when traveling outside of their LMR coverage area. The result is a radio that works when first responders need it most.

APX NEXT is designed for reliability when lives are on the line. Intuitive knobs and buttons are easily distinguished by touch. A mission-critical touchscreen makes it fast and easy to operate the radio. APX NEXT mission-critical apps bring new intelligence to the field. ViQi enables natural language database queries to rapidly provide vital information, allowing dispatchers to stay focused on critical situations. ViQi understands a wide range of language voice commands, so officers can operate the radio with situational awareness. Every interaction is simple, fast, and logical so officers can stay focused on what is in front of them.

In addition to the end-to-end public safety ecosystem, APX NEXT data and operations are secure, and new capabilities can be added as law enforcement needs change.

APX NEXT essentially gives officers back time through a cloud-based system that prepares radios before they arrive. Remote updating keeps radios in the field, without any downtime. MyView Portal provides users with direct access

to subscriptions, warranties and licenses, and a range of services to help manage their operations. Touchless key provisioning is now available on RadioCentral and significantly reduces the time spent encrypting radios.

APX NEXT’s platform allows for the introduction of new purpose-built applications that integrate with Motorola Solutions’ end-to-end command center software solutions. New features include SmartMapping and SmartMessaging: • SmartMapping: Built on the same platform as CommandCentral Aware, this application service provides precise location information utilizing a map view on the radio’s display. This means a police officer can see the location of other officers as icons on a map, allowing them to quickly respond if they are in distress. They can simply tap on the icons to send each other alerts or communicate via the radio.

• SmartMessaging: This multimedia communication tool allows users to securely share videos, pictures, texts, and voice messages across teams. For example, a dispatcher can send pictures of a suspect to officers in a specific location, or videos can be shared with a group of officers before they arrive at the scene of an incident.

APX NEXT continues to be offered with several previously announced innovative application services including SmartProgramming, SmartLocate, SmartConnect, and ViQi™ Virtual Partner. It is certified for use on FirstNet® and the AT&T and Verizon networks in the United States and the Bell Mobility network in Canada.

V300 BODY-WORN CAMERA

Motorola Solutions’ V300 continuous-operation body-worn camera can last well beyond a 12-hour shift, capturing crystalclear video and audio of each encounter. Officers can easily change the detachable battery while they are in the field. The V300 body-worn police cameras work seamlessly with the WatchGuard 4RE in-car video system, capturing video of a single incident from multiple vantage points and automatically synchronizing it for playback and sharing.

For maximum clarity, the V300 features distortion-free video at up to 1080p resolution, with an electronically adjustable lens for optimal aiming. In addition, with Bluetooth and WiFi, endto-end security, and an IP67 rating, the V300 is designed to

Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021 33

FEATURE Motorola Solutions Police Radio Update

withstand the demands of those on the front line.

First responders need the ability to prioritize an immediate threat.

In some cases, pre-buffers and triggers can fail to capture a recording. The Record-After-the-Fact® (RATF) technology allows law enforcement agencies to go back in time and capture video from events that occurred days earlier. Even when the record button is not pressed, Record-After-the-Fact has the ability to recover the evidence. Now more than ever, it is imperative that police maintain trust of the community by body-worn cameras that will always perform. Record-After-the-Fact helps them recover and deliver video that can be critically important.

WATCHGUARD 4RE IN-CAR VIDEO SYSTEM

The WatchGuard 4RE offers multiple camera options, highsecurity storage and upload, and collaborative integration with WatchGuard’s V300 body-worn cameras. Designed to work in the extreme and demanding public safety environment, the WatchGuard 4RE is easy to install and operate, with the built-in intelligence to help keep officers safe while performing their essential duties.

The system can be customized to an agency’s requirements, depending on their specific needs. For instance, some departments

34 Police Fleet Manager Spring 2021

may prefer a zoom camera over a wide-angle panoramic camera.

The camera is user-friendly with an intuitive touchscreen that complements the action buttons, which are shaped for operation by touch, even in high-stress situations. With its dual-drive architecture, recordings are saved to SSD and USB simultaneously, giving officers the best options for event transfer and backup.

The 4RE is built with advanced technology for optimal officer safety. Record-after-the-Fact allows you to go back in time to retrieve video footage even if the record button is never pressed.

License Plate Recognition (LPR) gives officers vital information to keep them safer at every traffic stop. In addition, live-streaming provides command staff with the technology they need to monitor threats in real time so they can take swift action.

After capturing crucial video, agencies are also tasked with managing that evidence. The WatchGuard 4RE uses patented multi-resolution technology to ensure storage costs are kept to a minimum. It records incidents in HD and standard definition simultaneously, and event categories determine the files that are kept. With the FirstNet-compatible LTE router, video can be uploaded quickly and securely to Evidence Library, for easy storage, redaction, and distribution.

Even with the expansive coverage of the panoramic camera, it is still important to capture multiple points of view. The 4RE has been integrated with the WatchGuard V300 body-worn camera to give officers a comprehensive view. Other V300 devices integrated with the 4RE can work together seamlessly as a single system. Now every incident can be captured from all aspects, with collaborative activation and synchronized playback.

The 4RE can be configured to automatically upload video evidence with no officer intervention. That eliminates the need to drive to the police station to deliver or download information.

Wherever a network is available, the 4RE can upload video evidence quickly and securely. Officers can use FirstNet LTE, local WiFi, or the strongest available signal. The 4RE technology understands that video evidence for an assault should take priority over a recording of a routine traffic violation, and so that would be sent first.

BE SOCIABLE