How an Ind. PD’s unique arsenal of technology keeps its officers safe in the field

In 2018, the Bureau of Justice Stats released a report on the use of physique-worn cameras by police departments in the United States.  

The report identified that 47% of U.S. legislation enforcement businesses experienced acquired overall body-worn cameras, noting the most important motive for getting the engineering was to make improvements to officer security, among the other factors like improved proof quality, and decreased civilian complaints and company liability.

The Lafayette (Ind.) Police Office (LPD) adopted Axon system cameras and in-car cameras nearly a ten years ago for comparable reasons. Moreover, the department has been working with dash cameras considering that 1998.

Considering that the department’s adoption of system cameras, supervisors have pulled two videos for every month – one showcasing outstanding police perform and the other a discovering option – to examine and explore all through administrative staff members meetings. The outcome?

In just a few short months, supervisors seen officers using diverse handcuffing techniques, which led to topics getting to be combative during handcuffing in some circumstances. As a outcome, the section was capable to assess and overhaul its handcuffing schooling, resulting in the re-teaching of officers on suitable handcuffing approaches. This is just one case in point of how the LPD continues to place officer security at the forefront of the police department’s objectives and initiatives.  

To honor their determination to officer protection, the National Legislation Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) awarded the LPD as this year’s Location Zero winner of its standard officer basic safety group. Location Zero is a method aimed at enhancing the overall health and security of regulation enforcement officers throughout the place. This calendar year, five law enforcement departments, that are fully commited to escalating officer wellness and minimizing line-of-obligation fatalities or injuries, have been introduced awards during Police Weekend.

Under, we break down how the Lafayette Law enforcement Division is increasing officer effectiveness and protection in the area.

1. An financial investment in time and teaching in driving and site visitors-linked protection

The LPD partnered with car dealership Subaru Isuzu of Indiana, which has a 2.5-mile take a look at monitor, so officers can use the keep track of after a calendar year to complete emergency driving teaching. The office mandates a minimal of 4 several hours of Unexpected emergency Automobile Operations Study course (EVOC) education for each calendar year. A handful of LPD officers are certified as EVOC driving instructors and the division has up to 4 autos specially focused to EVOC education.

[RELATED: 5 steps to enhancing your EVOC training]

2. SWAT instruction isn’t really just for the SWAT staff

The LPD’s SWAT workforce, which is manufactured up of 18 operators, assists in instruction all officers and recruits in the next:

The office partnered with a area enterprise that works by using video recreation engines to prepare officers on consequence administration when responding to active shooter events or other disaster gatherings.

Recruits are routinely uncovered to SWAT functions by attending practice, as nicely as taking part as role players throughout state of affairs-based training. The SWAT team also trains with the drone, K-9 and disaster negotiation groups.

[LISTEN: Policing Matters Podcast: How to excel as a crisis negotiator]

3. The utilization of drones in the field

Police departments nationwide are deploying drones to let officers to “see” what they are unable to visualize with their have eyes and “go” places they are unable to properly access.

The LPD’s Drone Response Crew, which was designed in 2019, has two DJI Inspire drones, two Mavics drones, as well as FLIR Optical Zoom cameras. The department’s program makes use of Axon Air, which provides protected are living streaming into the department’s Axon React network. The know-how, according to the office, “enhances officer security by furnishing aerial sights, very low-mild and thermal imaging abilities.”

[DOWNLOAD: How to buy police drones]

4. An govt coaching product shipped via a electronic system to each LPD officer

Two yrs ago, the LPD was the first section in the point out to pilot Efficiency Protocol, which provides the idea of govt coaching to legislation enforcement. The electronic coaching platform, in accordance to the web-site, “builds sturdy and capable leaders within law enforcement.” The plan achieves this by way of “a complete technique that incorporates customized options for recruitment, advancement and retention.”

[RELATED: Can coaching be beneficial in policing?]

Click right here for extra information about this year’s 4 other Location Zero award winners, which includes the categories of comprehensive wellness, officer website traffic safety, officer wellness and thorough basic safety.

Up coming: On-need webinar: Working with human functionality science to notify police coaching and make improvements to officer decision-making