Police Fleet Professional Magazine - Spring 2024

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it all on the line every day. The same battle-tested defense technologies L3Harris uses for some of the world’s most security-conscious agencies are in their radios, systems and solutions.

32 OWENS PRODUCTS

www.OwensProducts.com

A dominant force in the automotive aftermarket with product lines of plastic, fiberglass and aluminum running boards, aluminum tool boxes, dog boxes, garage and trailer accessories as well as custom made products.

39 POLICE FLEET EXPO 2024

www.PoliceFleetExpo.com

The only 4 days expo dedicated exclusively to police fleet professionals and the police

Police Fleet Professional is an industry leading digital publication, designed to keep fleet professionals informed and connected …concerning common problems, solutions and trends…in the police fleet market.

Police Fleet Professional is distributed by Signal Business Group LLC.

Signal Business Group is a business-to-business media company serving law enforcement and public safety, connecting key buyers and sellers through digital products, print products, webinars, streaming platforms, focus groups, and trade show engagements (including education, networking activities and events).

In 2022, Signal Business Group acquired Hendon Media Group and all of its assets, including Police Fleet Expo, magazines, databases, newsletters, websites, and more.

Company Information

Signal Business Group, LLC

PO Box 3157

Bluffton, SC 29910-3157

www.signalbusinessgroup.com

Owner/Group Publisher

Pete Kingwill pkingwill@signalbusinessgroup.com

Editorial Directors

Kirk Moen kmoen@signalbusinessgroup.com

Pete Kingwill pkingwill@signalbusinessgroup.com

Contributing Writers

Brad Brewer bbrewer@signalbusinessgroup.com

Jen Gavigan jengavigan@comcast.net

Police Fleet Expo Trade Show Director

Lisa McDade lmcdade@signalbusinessgroup.com

Police Fleet Expo Trade Show Management

Lisa McDade

lmcdade@signalbusinessgroup.com

Pete Kingwill pkingwill@signalbusinessgroup.com

Kirk Moen kmoen@signalbusinessgroup.com

Advertising & Booth Sales

Kirk Moen kmoen@signalbusinessgroup.com

Social Media Manager Meghan McDade mmcdade@signalbusinesgroup.com

Website Design/Management Michaeltz Zwief, Ltd.

Magazine Design/Layout

Jennie Marvin Digital Mountain Creative, LLC digitalmtncreative@outlook.com

Contact Info

Pete Kingwill Owner/Pricipal pkingwill@signalbusinessgroup.com 224-458-1120

Lisa McDade Trade Show Director lmcdade@signalbusinessgroup.com 847-922-9371

Kirk Moen National Director kmoen@signalbusinessgroup.com 608-770-6364

Meghan McDade Social Media Manager mmcdade@signalbusinessgroup.com

For the latest changes and additions to Police Fleet Expo, visit policefleetexpo.com

YO U CA N ’ T R E H E A R S E I T

NEWS

Dodge Says A New Charger Police Car is ‘Definitely On Our Radar’

The new Dodge Charger is here, and with it come questions about whether a police-specific trim will be offered alongside the publicly available models, as has been the case with past generations of the car. When asked about whether Dodge has plans to offer a “Pursuit” version of its new Charger, CEO Tim Kuniskis told reporters “it’s definitely on our radar.” While Dodge does not break down Charger sales by trim, Kuniskis acknowledged that law enforcement has been a notable aspect of the Charger’s business, but stopped short of confirming any plans, ultimately saying that the police-spec Charger’s future has yet to be determined.

For the full article, click here

Ford Explorer Earns IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick+ Award

In recent years, the Ford Explorer has earned its fair share of recognition for being one of the safer choices on the market, earning strong ratings in updated side impact and moderate front overlap crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), while also scoring an IIHS Top Safety Pick award for 2023, too. Now, the IIHS has released its list of Top Safety Picks for 2024, and the Ford Explorer has once again earned a spot there – this time, an even higher Top Safety Pick+ award, which is notable for some very good reasons.

For the full article, click here

Custom SWAT Support Vehicle Crafted for Ocala PD

A company that specializes in engineering, fabricating, and integrating technical vehicles just unveiled a new support vehicle for the Ocala Police Department. MBF Industries, which is based in Sanford, shared photos of the new support vehicle for the Ocala Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit. Founded in 1992 by John Baker and Jim Saboff, MBF has made vehicles across a variety of sectors, including banking, medicine, broadcast, public safety, homeland security, and even for the military.

For the full article, click here

Australian Police Add Ford Ranger Pickups To Fleet

The Western Australian Police Force (WAPF) has added a handful of Ford Ranger pickups to its own fleet, but its supposed reasoning for doing so is a bit unorthodox. The Ford Ranger has long been an incredibly popular vehicle among law-abiding citizens in Australia, but as it turns out, the mid-size pickup has also proven to be the the model of choice for criminals, according to WAPF, a change that has occurred following the discontinuation of the Holden Commodore. So they added the Ford Rangers to their fleet to give their officers an edge.

For the full article, click here

PA State Police Vehicles Going Back to White Color Scheme

State Police are rolling out a new fleet of vehicles with a different paint scheme. Pennsylvania’s state police vehicles are getting a makeover…the department is going back to white-colored vehicles when the current gray patrol vehicles are due for a trade-in. According to Pennsylvania State Police, the reason for the color change is cost. Dodge doesn’t offer the gray color in stock, so it would be considered a custom color and thus the cost would substantially increase.

For the full article, click here

Vermont Launches Electric Vehicle Incentive Program for Towns, Businesses, and Nonprofits

There’s a new incentive program for businesses, towns and nonprofits that want to replace their gas-powered vehicle fleets with electric ones. The “Electrify Your Fleet” program began Tuesday, said Patrick Murphy, Sustainability and Innovations Project Manager at the Agency of Transportation. Information on the incentive program can be found online at bit.ly/ EV1110, said Murphy. Answers to the most common questions the agency receives will be posted there. It’s not a complex program, as far as programs go, and it’s open for applications until June 30.

For the full article, click here

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Well-Known Events Producer for Jackson-Dawson, Bob Bonnell, Has Passed

Police Fleet Expo, Jackson-Dawson, Ford Pro and the fleet industry…recently lost a beloved colleague and friend, with the news of the passing of Bob Bonnell. A fixture at Police Fleet Expo for nearly 20 years, Bob developed numerous relationships with industry colleagues, many of whom he considered close friends. Anyone working Police Fleet Expo (and other fleet shows), always wanted to know where was “Bobby” and how long before he would be arriving. Bob was the Sr Events Producer for Jackson-Dawson, a creative marketing agency for Ford Pro and he also managed the annual Ford Pro Commercial Vehicle Show. A service was held for Bob on Saturday, Feb 10th, at A.J. Desmond & Sons in Royal Oak, MI.

From the entire staff at Police Fleet Expo, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to Bob’s friends and family…he will be greatly missed!

Keep On Trucking: Spokane Confronts Issues in Replacing its Fire and Police Vehicles

At least as long as Major Eric Olsen has been in charge of the Spokane Police Department’s fleet, the city has not been keeping up with replacing its police vehicles. “Clear back to 2017, even way back then, we were not matching the number of cars needed,” Olsen said. “We’ve been every year slipping further behind, and what that does is, the next year, it compounds.” There are 371 vehicles in the department’s fleet, including 150 patrol cars, 84 vehicles for administrators and investigators, 81 specialty use vehicles for units like SWAT, 16 motorcycles and 40 vehicles for special events or ad hoc purposes. Dozens of patrol vehicles are used by multiple officers, some of which are swapped back and forth so frequently that the seat never really cools — called “hot seat” cars.

For the full article, click here

1969

Car Has the Full Package, the Light and the Siren Still Work

A 1969 Dodge Polara recently made its way to eBay with an intriguing package that goes well beyond the concept of a bigblock engine. The Polara previously served as a police car, and its current offering includes the full law enforcement package, including the lights and the siren. The police goodies work, but eBay seller robertreynolds1971 says the siren needs a new switch.

For the full article, click here

5 Wildest Police Cars That Served on Public Roads

Police cars are among the most hated vehicles, especially by speed addicts with a slippery right foot. However, these atypical cruisers are so wild that even the latter category will stand up and applaud. Here we take a look at the impressive vehicles of the Ferrari 250 GT/E, Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4, Nissan GT-R, Lykan Hypersport and Bugatti Veyron.

For the full article, click here

S650 Ford Mustang GT Joins Kentucky State Police Force

The State Police of Kentucky has officially brought in the all-new Ford Mustang GT as its latest patrol car. That’s right, the troopers of the Bluegrass State now have a 480-horsepower weapon to help them keep the state’s roads safe. Also, it’ll give speeders and knuckleheaded street racers something to consider before breaking the law. In a way, this is a “return to Ford” moment for the Kentucky State Police. Back in the 1990s, they and many other police departments in the United States also used the Special Service Package (SSP) for the Foxbody platform. This new Mustang, though, is a far sleeker ride compared to the very boxy SSP Foxbody Mustangs of yesteryears.

For the full article, click here

8 Of The Fastest Police Cars On The Road

For nearly as long as we have had cars, we have had police cars. However, it was not until the ‘50s that manufacturers began making cars specifically for police to buy. In the days of prohibition, which extended in individual states for longer than it did federally, law enforcement found themselves unable to catch up with bootleggers and moonshiners running unregulated booze to markets in modified cars. That practice led to the creation of NASCAR while the official police vehicle debuted at around the same time. Since then, it has been a constant game of “cat and mouse” between criminals and officers in driving the fastest car.

For the full article, click here

NLTCC Automotive Technology Students Thrive in Shreveport Police Internship Program

Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) is leaving a positive mark on the Shreveport community through its recent partnership with the Shreveport Police and Fire Departments. This collaboration, which began in October 2023, has created an exciting opportunity for Automotive Technology students at NLTCC to gain hands-on experience by working on police and fire department vehicles. The program allows students to intern with experienced auto technicians at the Shreveport Police and Fire Departments. This real-world experience takes place during the last six months of their studies, offering invaluable training and skills that will ease their transition into the workforce.

For the full article, click here

Canadian Mounties to Expand EV Fleet After Officers Turn Up Early to Secure Model Y

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have reported overwhelmingly positive feedback on the inclusion of Tesla Model Y patrol vehicle fleets. According to Drive Tesla Canada, officers stationed at British Columbia’s West Shore detachment and Ontario’s Rideau Hall Response Unit were among the first to experience the Tesla Model Y as part of their daily operational fleet. Despite initial concerns regarding battery life, the RCMP reports the lowest recorded battery life after “rigorous use” was 56%. Enough for an additional 250 km of driving.

For the full article, click here

Los Angeles Sheriff Department Still Has 429 Ford Crown Victoria Patrol Cars… The Department Ordered 600 Cars Before Production Ended

New York City’s taxi fleet finally said farewell to the Ford Crown Victoria earlier in 2023, but the big, body-on-frame sedan lives on as a police car in Los Angeles. The city’s sheriff department bought 600 examples of the Crown Vic before production ended, and 429 are still in service. One reason why the LASD has managed to keep older Crown Victoria patrol cars around for over a decade after production ended is that the sedan is pretty much built like a truck. It uses body-on-frame construction (it shares its Panther platform with the Lincoln Town Car and the Mercury Grand Marquis), and the last examples made were powered by the tried-andtrue 4.6-liter V8 engine also found in pickups.

For the full article, click here

A TURNKEY TESLA SOLUTION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

The use of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in law enforcement is hardly breaking news these days. Many law enforcement agencies have already been early adopters in the use of BEVs for several years now. NYPD is probably the largest adopter of this technology after they purchased and deployed over 160 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT police upfitted vehicles. NYPD was one of the first to use BEVs in a frontline operational deployment. Most agencies testing the waters of BEV adoption find Administrative, Executive, or Investigative positions more conducive to the limitations placed on BEVs with charging requirements.

In the consumer space, the dominant force has to be Tesla, and a few adventurous agencies have

attempted to deploy Tesla police vehicles in the field using their own unique approach to Tesla upfitting. To be clear from the start, Tesla the OEM does not produce or offer a police-rated vehicle, not Pursuitrated and not Special Service-rated. However, there is a group of engineers that decided they would take on the task of standardizing and putting together ‘turnkey’ Tesla Police purpose-built vehicles.

If the name Unplugged Performance (UP.FIT) name rings a bell, it is because they are the company who produced the tuned Tesla Model S Plaid racer that ran at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race, as well as the cool modified Tesla Model 3 that MotorTrend Magazine borrowed for a track day last year.

Unplugged Performance is surely one of the most well-known and accomplished authorized Tesla tuners, like what European tuner shops such as Alpina and AMG were for BMW and Mercedes-Benz way back in the day before they were bought and absorbed into their respective automakers. The Engineers at Unplugged Performance wants everyone to be aware that they are completely independent from Tesla but maintain a healthy relationship.

It is ironic, but in a weird way, Unplugged Performance is transitioning from vehicles the police would probably chase to chase vehicles for the police themselves to drive. Tesla was revolutionary and made electric cars fast and cool so not to be left out. Many police departments around the world have been modifying the BEVs to suit their needs ever since the Tesla Model S sedan went on sale back in 2012.

Having 10 years of experience, UP.FIT is a one-stop solution for all hardware and software upfitting needs, including electrical, safety, lighting, charging, and peripheral technologies. UP.FIT offers complete packages with Fleet Management tools including GPS tracking, fleet operations guidance, strategic maintenance planning, along with a comprehensive driver training program.

UP.FIT has Tesla-specific proprietary packages for just about everything an agency would want.

Proprietary meaning, they worked closely with Tesla engineers to ensure the modifications they are doing to the vehicle are an enhancement to the vehicle and in no way risk the fundamental operation of the Tesla infrastructure:

• Special Armoring packages with new proprietary materials weigh less than current materials and still maintaining the NIJ III+.

• Off-road and winter packages are custom designed and engineered for each model and agency requirements.

• Cargo storage systems are all custom to the vehicle in an effort to maximize space while still maintaining a safe environment for the operator. Firearm and equipment racks are also factored into the space.

UP.FIT has also engineered a custom Push Bumper solution with optional lighting and grill guards if required. This can include siren speakers, air horns, and PA systems if desired. Prisoner cells and partitions are not modified generic equipment; they are custom engineered to use the Tesla space and mounting points.

Most Fleet Manager concerns can usually be boiled down to three main issues: infrastructure costs, charge times, and range anxiety. UP.FIT has some ideas to relieve that anxiety and then some. UP.FIT will work with each agency right from sourcing vehicles, setting up leasing programs, and even assisting with financing setup. To ensure a smooth transition, UP.FIT has structured training, charging, and infrastructure support if needed. This includes everything up to and including the initial stages of simply getting your legislative approvals in order.

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UP.FIT is truly a full-solution consultant.

If charging is your main obstacle, then UP.FIT will assist with infrastructure design, approvals, and installation. Keep in mind that Tesla allows for Level 4 charging, which will give an extra 200-mile range with a 15-minute charge.

Police agency procurement of battery electric vehicles has typically been in small batches of just a few vehicles at a time. Until now, no one in law enforcement has made the bold move to transition their entire fleet over to battery electric vehicles. The South Pasadena Police Department (SPPD) is an agency that was willing to take that big step, and is now replacing its entire fleet of police cars with the Tesla Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV, outfitted for special police work by the notorious Tesla race car modifier Unplugged Performance.

UP.FIT is currently in the process of modifying 10 Tesla Model 3 and 10 Tesla Model Y vehicles for use by the South Pasadena Police Department, replacing its entire internal combustion fleet. “Tesla’s stunning track record of reliability, low-maintenance costs, impressive on-road performance, and driving dynamics make EV transition a safe choice for many

departments. The cost savings are undeniable and being able to bring Tesla’s entire suite of crash and safety systems to bear on officer safety is an added benefit above and beyond the economics of operating and maintaining this modern EV fleet,” said Sergeant Tony Abdalla.

UP.FIT does not advertise the specifics of what and how they modify these Teslas for each client to ensure complete security around the vehicle’s technology. This makes good sense because as everyone is aware, the more these vehicles become connected devices, the more vulnerable they are to nefarious attackers.

As an example, the lighting packages are designed with a custom wiring harness that leverages the Tesla OE wiring solution and OE lighting. The way this is done and how it is integrated into the vehicle is confidential to ensure integrity of the system.

Operational security is always a concern for law enforcement, so UP.FIT is exceptionally good at keeping their projects well-guarded with proprietary engineering solutions that are not available to outside sources. UP did release info that the SPPD Teslas would be ‘non-performance’ versions of Tesla’s vehicles.

SPPD has requested different variants be produced, including some with ballistic shielding and protection, vehicles with ‘prisoner cells’ for front-line patrol officers, as well as specialized K9 units. Obviously, the other changes include the addition of various lights and siren amplifiers, a graphics package, as well as vehicle protection pieces like a front push bar.

UP.FIT is still committed to its business of modifying Teslas for racing activities as well as privately owned customer cars for street use. Moving forward, UP plans to become an upfitter for more police

departments looking to upgrade their fleet to EVs, and is offering to provide “Tesla-specific engineering, manufacturing, upfitting, vehicle sourcing, and city/PD sales support to ensure the growth of the segment.”

UP.FIT has the SPPD deployment almost complete with its delivery of SPPD’s first Model 3 and Model Y’s. The plan for the full 20-vehicle fleet of Teslas for the South Pasadena Police was for delivery by the end of 2023. UP.FIT is looking at the feasibility of having a fully upfit vehicle ready to go for the 2024 MSP and LASD vehicle testing events, so keep an eye out for that.

As the needs of law enforcement, public safety, military, and corporate fleets continue to rapidly change, so will the increasing popularity of Tesla vehicles for duty. Many traditional

upfitters have struggled with the unique requirements of electric vehicles and implementing solutions that work in harmony with Tesla’s ecosystem has been a challenge. Unplugged Performance, as the leader in Tesla modifications, offers a complete one-stop solution for specialized vehicle upfitting, including electrical, safety, lighting, charging, technology and more, that works seamlessly with Tesla vehicle infrastructure.

If your agency is considering a move to BEVs, it makes sense to contact UP.FIT and allow them an opportunity to provide a custom turnkey solution from start to finish. To learn more, click here

M500 In-Car System

ALWAYS EVOLVING IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY

Keeping Pace with Progress

The world looked a lot different in the 1920s when Motorola Solutions began its nearly 100-year journey in communications and technology. During this era, the telegraph, telephone, guns, nightsticks, call boxes, and systems that helped with criminal identification and fingerprinting were common tools of the trade for police officers. In the decades since, there have been many changes within the public safety industry, as well as within the technology space. Innovative solutions have become game changers for the men and women who don a uniform today, and technology will continue to be critical for law enforcement in the years to come.

After the initial launch of the company’s radios in 1928, Motorola Solutions’ founders designed a rugged one-way police cruiser radio receiver for

police broadcasts, introduced a more affordable twoway AM radio equipment for public safety agencies, and launched portable two-way AM radios for World War II. In 1969, the company achieved one of its most noteworthy milestones when legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong used Motorola’s specially developed backpack antenna to relay man’s first words from the moon to Earth.

Today, agencies around the world trust Motorola Solutions’ mission-critical P25 communications solutions to help keep them safe. Technologies such as APX portable and mobile P25 radios are cuttingedge critical communications lifelines. When APX land mobile radios, ASTRO P25 radio systems, dispatch consoles, and applications are deployed as a unified system, data transmissions happen faster, location coordinates are improved, and team communication

CommandCentral Evidence

Securely collect, manage and share case media from a single location with an integrated digital evidence management system.

is maximized—whether it’s a typical day or in the midst of a catastrophic natural disaster that knocks out power to an entire region.

Law enforcement agencies who have relied on Motorola Solutions radios for years now turn to a global industry leader for products that help gather evidence, strengthen incident reporting, and improve emergency response.

In-car Innovation

Mobile video solutions, for example, can be utilized by officers to inform response, capture visual evidence, and improve operational efficiencies.

According to the National Motorists Association, the first recorded use of a dashcam occurred in the 1930s. A Washington, D.C. inventor created the first “windshield camera” designed to help police officers catch traffic violators. Three cameras, mounted to a vehicle, took still pictures for evidence and recorded the time and date. A California Highway Patrol officer was the first to be photographed using his personal motion-picture camera on the job in 1939.

Today, Motorola Solutions’ M500 in-car video system is a groundbreaking leap forward in realtime awareness. It doesn’t just record what it sees, it analyzes everything with multiple cameras that simultaneously examine video while recording evidence. The M5F front camera, designed for maximum fidelity, delivers excellent video quality— even in low-light conditions. The technology is small

and easy to mount onto the windshield, without imposing on the driver’s sightlines and without being a hazard in a vehicle crash situation. Front-camera technology creates wide-angle and focused streams, each in dual resolution, to ensure that officers capture the whole picture.

The M5P cabin camera features a built-in infrared floodlight that illuminates the passenger compartment to record incidents as they occur. During an event, the cabin camera, which can attach to the cage or the headline in the backseat, will start recording once it detects a person. Officers can expand their view further with the M5R rear camera, which widens their situational awareness by capturing sharp video-quality evidence from behind the police vehicle.

The M500 model not only captures evidence, it integrates with the Motorola Solutions license plate reader (LPR) system and can livestream video to CommandCentral Aware, Motorola Solutions’ situational awareness

software. This allows analysts to see an incident unfolding and summon backup help or EMS teams, if necessary. In-car systems and body cameras can also work seamlessly as a single system, capturing synchronized video of an event from multiple vantage points.

Police officers don’t always have the time to go back to the station and download important evidence into their video management systems. With LTE uploading, they can send important in-car and body camera footage back to the station without leaving the field. These remote capabilities are rooted in operational efficiency.

Mobile video solutions garner a great deal of attention in public safety circles today, and rightly so, but it’s the product of mobile video solutions—evidence—that is the real star of the story. Motorola Solutions offers VideoManager EL or VideoManager EX for departments

evidence to provide a consolidated view of the case and can also be used for redacting, judicial sharing, and transcribing video for live cases.

Leveraging License Plates

The International Association of Police Chiefs (IACP) describes license plate recognition as a camera with character recognition that can quickly scan the license plate of a vehicle, compare it to current records of license plates associated with criminal or suspicious activity, and alert police of any notable matches. Over the years, LPR systems have been greatly refined and usage has grown steadily. According to IACP 2022 data, 40 percent of departments use LPR systems—a number that appears to be on the rise these days.

Motorola Solutions’ L5M mobile LPR system generates high-quality images in low-light and high-speed conditions, captures more accurate data and pairs well with in-car video systems. L5M assists agencies with real-time threat detection and mitigation while

community keeping residents safe.

The Salina City Police Department in Utah has had a number of success stories since deploying their LPR systems. One pertained to an incident where two girls were kidnapped in Aurora, Colorado. They were being taken to California for human trafficking. Salina City shared its LPR data with another agency who then put a hot plate or plate of interest into the LPR system. Utah Highway Patrol got the alert, the vehicle was spotted, police intervened, and the two little girls were rescued. Another time, a young lady was taken from a school about 35 miles east of Salina City. That jurisdiction knew that Salina City had LPR and contacted the department. The agency’s LPR cameras were used to identify the direction the suspect was traveling and ultimately helped authorities rescue the female.

Body of Evidence

Body cameras are a staple in policing, according to the National Institute of Justice. At first, officers just needed a body camera to record evidence, but it’s much more than that today. Motorola Solutions has a family of body cams to meet the needs of public safety and private-sector security personnel. The V700 body camera offers two differentiating capabilities: real-time GPS location and the ability to livestream over LTE to CommandCentral

appealing for both public safety and private security applications.

Body cameras enable police departments to capture critical evidence in the heat of the moment—and even after the fact. Out in the field anything can happen in the blink of an eye. That’s why body cameras have recording triggers from two-way radios and activate if a radio goes into Fall-Alert. Holster Aware is a sensor that prompts a body camera to automatically start recording when an officer’s weapon has been unholstered. Record-After-TheFact allows body cameras to recover critical evidence days after an incident, even when a recording wasn’t initiated.

Artificial intelligence (AI) analysis helps departments manage the sheer volume of footage that is being captured by mobile video technologies today. AI allows authorities to search for keywords and analyze video content, thereby reducing the number of hours agencies spend combing through footage.

With body cams, command staff can have eyes on the scene throughout an event and provide officers with the situational

awareness that is needed for decision-making and safety. The ability for department leaders to watch an officer, from their perspective, respond to an incident in real time is huge.

Answers from Above

CommandCentral Aware

Drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have become indispensable resources for police officers out on patrol too. The first drone explicitly used for law enforcement was developed to aid in search and rescue operations. Highly adaptable, drones also act as “eyes in the sky” during crime scene investigation, SWAT operations, and firefighting. Motorola Solutions offers police departments a first-rate resource in its CAPE purpose-built drone video and flight control software. CAPE is a subscription-based software that provides livestreaming video, local and remote piloting, and evidence-grade video management. Police departments can integrate CAPE-equipped drones into daily workflows and rapidly make informed decisions

Real-time data and video streams in a secure common operational view, automates analysis to surface critical insights and enables instant communication of intelligence to responders in the field.

from a distance— ultimately reducing injuries and helping to save lives.

The Chula Vista Police Department in California pioneered drones as first responders (DFR) by launching drones from the roof of its police headquarters to respond quickly to emergency calls for service. Today, departments are utilizing drones to reach and evaluate situations before officers arrive, sometimes even clearing a call without dispatching units. Due to the uniqueness of each community, no two drone programs are exactly the same. The scale, objectives, and sophistication of UAS efforts vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Police departments often start with a small program and expand it as they become more familiar with operating drones in their airspace. Some agencies may utilize a small drone kept in the back of police cruisers for tactical situations, while others may have fully integrated DFR programs with multiple launch points throughout the community.

A Long Legacy and Looking Forward

Motorola Soluions’ legacy is rooted in the recognition and anticipation of public safety needs and its ability to develop technologies that enhance the work being done by those on the front lines each day. The company’s innovations are built to integrate with other technologies so that first responders can effectively and efficiently do their jobs, protect community members, and go home safely to their families. While the tools available to law enforcement continue to evolve, Motorola Solutions’ commitment to public safety remains constant.

Andres Lacambra is the Senior Director of Evidence Engineering at Motorola Solutions, responsible for the company’s body-camera, in-vehicle video, and evidence management portfolio. During his 25 years at Motorola Solutions, Andres has held various leadership roles centered around innovation and public-safety technology advancement across critical communications, command center software, and video.

In public safety, the ability to communicate with fellow officers on scene or in vehicles is essential to doing their jobs effectively… and can often mean the difference between life or death. Police radios have evolved over the years from big and bulky “walkietalkie” type radios to today’s array of compact, multifunctional wireless devices. They must keep up with advances in technology in order to protect those on the frontlines who are sworn to protect us.

L3Harris Technologies is a leader in converged Land Mobile Radio (LMR)/Long Term Evolution (LTE) mission-critical communications. LTE is a fourthgeneration (4G) wireless standard that provides increased network capacity and speed for cellphones and other cellular devices. For more than 90 years, the company has implemented radio systems and devices for public safety users. In an ever-changing and increasingly complex world, L3Harris anticipates and mitigates risks with end-to-end solutions to create a safer and more secure future. As a leader in public safety, they have implemented some of the largest and most sophisticated communications

LEADING THE WAY IN PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

systems in the world to meet the needs of our first responders.

When assignments or deployments require first responders to be mobile, they need a smart radio that can move with them reliably, and at a moment’s notice. The XL Onboard™ Series delivers the ultimate power and flexibility these critical work environments demand. These radios double-down on redundancy and security, all the while connecting seamlessly with other agencies. This means public safety personnel get the calls that they need, loud and clear.

The XL Onboard™ series of radios from L3Harris provides the best converged P25 and broadband in-vehicle experience for public safety users today. L3Harris is expanding this series by offering the new XL Onboard™ 85 Mobile radio, which makes the XL experience more affordable to a broader base of users. They designed this radio based on input from the public safety community and what officers truly need. The XL-85M was developed to meet and exceed their requirements. We all know that it is critical for

first responders to have reliable communications in a range of environments and conditions, regardless of the situations they encounter.

This new radio from L3Harris delivers converged capabilities—single-band P25 (7/800 MHz, UHF, or VHF) with Wi-Fi PTT & Device Management, and the XL-85M features loud audio; dual-mic noisecanceling USB microphone; and color display with easy-to-navigate controls. The XL-85M is extremely configurable, offering multiple control head options and hand-held controller configurations to adapt to the customer’s needs to support a wide range of field

operations. This includes the ability to mount the radio in the vehicle’s dash or in the trunk. The radio offers the same intuitive user interface as the other members of the XL family, which makes it easy to use and shortens the time for new users to learn how to operate their radio.

The XL-85M radio offers several key advantages, including advanced connectivity, a variety of configuration options, and an intuitive user interface. In regards to the connectivity of the device, users will be able to perform push-to-talk (PTT) over Wi-Fi, extending their LMR coverage onto Wi-Fi hotspots. This capability enhances users’ access to the important information they need to perform their duties safely and securely. Overall, the XL Onboard™ 85M provides an outstanding value in an affordable package.

In 2019, L3Harris Technologies announced the merger between Harris Corporation and L3 Technologies. The combination of two mid-sized aerospace

and defense companies created a new competitor in the industry, an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator. Since then, they have been building their portfolio into a national security and technology-focused company while growing end markets across all domains. L3Harris provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.

One of L3Harris’s premier systems is the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS), which currently has more than 300 sites and 30,000 active users. According to Jeremy Elder,

L3Harris Technologies’ Director of Product Management, “L3Harris has delivered unparalleled communication network coverage for the AFRRCS, the largest Project 25-compliant system in North America, for the last seven years.” The network comprises 340 dedicated sites spanning the territory, with more than 1,500 different channels and 200 unique frequencies for more than 43,000 radios and 150 different agencies.

The Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is the same standards body that created the LTE standards. 3GPP created a standard for MissionCritical Push to Talk (MCPTT) over LTE networks. The L3Harris Technologies strategy is to provide customers the best standards-based solutions, and that is why they adopted these standards within their XL Family of Converged P25/LTE portable and mobile radios.

P25 refers to the set of standards that define how land mobile radio (LMR) systems, radios, and dispatch equipment operate. The L3Harris XL series of radios introduced the world’s first converged P25 and LTE radio, the L3Harris XL Onboard™ Series. The Onboard™ series offers the most comprehensive converged in-vehicle experience for public safety personnel. L3Harris has the only P25/LTE converged mobile radio in the industry, and they support key use cases required by public safety, including PTT and Device Management over broadband connections. L3Harris is also the only supplier that offers a Third Generation Partnership Program Mission-Critical Push-To-Talk (3GPP MCPTT) solution in a converged P25/LTE vehicular mount radio.

Good news for public safety agencies across North America: The first XL-85M units are available to order immediately and will

L3Harris launched the first mission-critical push-totalk (PTT) solution to the public on the SouthernLinc network in March of 2023. By that September, they had deployed the first XL Onboard™ radio with MCPTT to that public safety customer.

The company also plans to launch on FirstNet PushTo-Talk (FNPTT), which is FirstNet’s deployment of MCPTT, in the first half of this year with equipment available at that time. Elder said L3Harris believes that MCPTT will bring tremendous benefits to their customers, including interoperability with agencies nationwide and the ability to extend the coverage of their radios’ systems by leveraging the carrier’s network footprint as well.

begin shipping in Q2 of this calendar year. L3Harris plans to deploy the XL-85M with multiple law enforcement agencies as well as several prominent utility customers. The result will be advanced interoperability and situational awareness for those who put their lives on the line for us 24/7 under the most extreme conditions.

L3Harris is there for those who keep communities and resources safe from threats and potential danger, who are on the frontlines day in and day out. Service packages keep their radios up and running with in-field preventative maintenance and software upgrades to avoid downtime. Whether you are active law enforcement, fire, or EMS, and no matter what challenges you are facing today or what complex missions are on the horizon, L3Harris is ready for you.

RELENTLESSLY RELIABLE. ROAD-READY.

When your mission requires you to be mobile, you need a smart radio that can move with you. Our radios double-down on redundancy and security — and connect seamlessly with other agencies.

XL ONBOARD™ 200M

+ Multiple encryption options

+ LTE® and broadband hotspot capabilities

+ Wide connectivity via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, GPS

+ Certified on nationwide public safety LTE networks

GM ENVOLVE LEVERAGES FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY

The desire to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels has the Canadian and US governments perking up and paying attention to advancements in hydrogen power. In 2020, the United States and Canada unveiled nonbinding plans to build hydrogen economies. Most Canadian provinces have also announced specific plans while California has passed favorable hydrogen laws as part of its Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

Compared with batteries, a short-term storage option, hydrogen is great for medium- to long-term power storage. In times of low demand, renewables may be used to produce hydrogen by electrolysis. General Motors is leveraging fuel cell technology to provide electric power in various heavy-duty applications … like providing a carbonless platform that could supply power anywhere a trailer could be towed, and anywhere a diesel or gas backup generator would be installed.

GM’s HYDROTEC fuel cell technology-based mobile power systems are designed to charge EVs, power worksites, data centers, support the military, and even provide emergency power to public safety in rural and urban environments.

Why hydrogen, you might be asking? Well, we have all seen those YouTube videos or Instagram videos showing the hypocrisy of giant electric vehicle

charging generators powered by diesel or another fossil fuel. Or the mobile services that drive around to charge up stranded EV owners with a gas-powered generator mounted in the back. The irony of those solutions is not lost on many Fleet Managers. GM wanted to take a cleaner approach to providing these similar services.

At the annual 2024 Michigan State Police (MSP) Vehicle Testing event, GM provided their first allelectric purpose-built police pursuit vehicle. This vehicle was tested alongside other electric police vehicles at the Grattan Raceway. GM was able to have a HYDRTEC MPG at the track to provide a clean charging solution that supported the rigorous environment that vehicles are put through to by certified by MSP.

The HYDROTEC technology is not just limited to retail EV charging solutions; it also includes deployment and testing in areas like heavy-duty trucks, train locomotives that burn coal, and some aerospace applications. Where this technology thrives is where the torque or electric power required is limited by the weight of batteries needed to provide that much power. This was never truer

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than in the trucking industry or rail environment. The goal being more power, more torque with little or no pollution.

As of today, HYDROTEC-based power generators, all powered by GM’s HYDROTEC fuel cell power cubes, can provide many solutions … like a Mobile Power Generator (MPG) to provide fast-charge capability for EVs without installing permanent charge points. The Mobile Power Generator can quietly and efficiently power remote military camps, installations, crime scenes, and temporary command posts, not just vehicles.

The future could be that these fuel cell generators replace gas- and diesel-burning generators with fewer emissions at worksites, buildings, movie sets, data centers, outdoor concerts, and festivals. They could also back up or temporarily replace grid-sourced electricity for residential and small commercial enterprises at times of power disruption. In effect, the ultimate Uninterruptable Power Supply system with none of the pollution. Each of these HYDROTEC-based power generators

features zero-emissions electric power generation output ranging from 60KW continuous power up to 100KW peak power. That is enough to power 48 average homes at one time with one single MPG. Further benefits include low noise and no heat signatures, which is often a requirement in military or law enforcement deployments.

So, how does it work? Honestly, hydrogen technology for vehicles has been around since the 60s, but it is the availability of hydrogen gas that has typically been the issue. Hydrogen technology is designed remarkably like internal combustion engines with the primary difference being no heat, no emissions, and the only waste product being water. Maintenance is significantly reduced because there is no combustion, which also lowers the noise signature.

Fuel cell technology creates water from oxygen and hydrogen while simultaneously generating energy. It functions similarly to a battery. However, it does not need additional recharging. It can generate power if fuel and oxygen are available. Fuel cells are thought to be the energy source of the future and

an up-and-coming innovation. Hydrogen is by far the most abundant element on Earth. Regardless of the difficulties in extracting it from water, it is a particularly sustainable and limitless form of energy, making it perfect for prospective zero-carbon integrated heat and power needs.

Hydrogen fuel cells are more efficient in producing electricity than other conventional power sources, including many green power options. This fuel efficiency allows for a greater productive capacity per kilogram of fuel. A typical ignition power station, for example, generates energy at 33–35 percent efficiency, but a hydrogen fuel cell potentially creates electricity at approximately 65 percent efficiency.

Since the only by-product is water, hydrogen fuel cells provide a pure energy form with no negative environmental impact throughout production. Hydrogen is a way to share energy independent of electrical transmission. The hydrogen fuel cell technique delivers a robust, high-efficiency source of power. By weight, hydrogen has the highest primary energy output of any conventional fuel.

but hydrogen stored in tanks and the systems that use this gas are far more sophisticated and monitored than any fossil fuel system. Hydrogen gas is exceptionally lightweight. If there is a leak, the gas behaves in a manner that allows it to escape up and away as opposed to lingering around like other gases.

Safety systems are layered such that flame detection, leak detection, and a sophisticated software communication system will not allow any ignition source to even initiate a potential problem. When you take the Mobile Power Generator plug-in cable and engage a battery source, the communication between the source and MPG completes many safety checks before any energy is passed through.

Now comparing that safety plan to fossil fueling an ICE vehicle, there is no communication between the gasoline pump and the vehicle that performs any safety checks. If there is a leak anywhere in the hose or nozzle, nothing shuts down the flow of gasoline except the operator of the pump handle. GM fuel cell engineers have even ballistic-tested these systems to ensure they meet the requirement for any military or law enforcement application.

GM is designing a separate, palletized version of the MPG and in partnership with GM Defense, will offer this and EV solutions to defense and other

Capabilities Development Command Ground

currently evaluating the technology. GVSC is also exploring how this version military equipment and camps. This

prototype is equivalent in size to a 60-kW generator and produces 70 percent more power than traditional diesel generators.

Images from Chevrolet Pressroom

This MPG variant also contains features not typically found on diesel generators, like battery backup and output regulation. Powered by a HYDROTEC power cube, this MPG prototype converts offboard, bulk-stored hydrogen to electricity generated with no emissions in operation. It generates less noise than a conventional diesel engine at full load and emits water, which can be captured and repurposed in the field.

General Motors and Autocar Industries, LLC have signed a joint development agreement to create a range of zero tailpipe emissions vocational vehicles powered by GM’s HYDROTEC power cubes. Autocar, a market leader in customized vocational trucks, views this initiative as an important expansion in offering robust, zero tailpipe emissions solutions to customers. Fuel cell technology offers an additional energy propulsion option to support Autocar’s vocational customers’ move toward EPA requirements. Hydrogen fuel cells are a key component of GM’s electrification strategy that extends beyond battery-powered passenger vehicles. Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell enables the conversion of energy stored in hydrogen into electricity to power a vehicle.

Since fuel cells are lightweight and enable large payloads, excellent range, quiet operation, and rapid refueling, they can meet the needs of the heaviestduty applications. With regulations rapidly changing in many countries, fuel cell-powered vehicles have the added advantage of zero tailpipe emissions when compared to diesel vehicles.

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General Motors and Komatsu will co-develop a hydrogen fuel cell power module for Komatsu’s 930E electric drive mining truck, the world’s best-selling

ultraclass haul truck. GM, a leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology, and Komatsu, a global manufacturer of mining and construction equipment, will jointly design and validate the technology.

Lightweight and quick to refuel, hydrogen fuel cells are ideal for electrifying applications traditionally powered by diesel engines. Hydrogen provides an effective method to package large quantities of energy onboard the vehicle, without compromising payload-carrying capacity.

Additionally, fuel cells provide an excellent zero tailpipe emissions solution for vehicles with extreme hauling requirements, like the Komatsu 930E mining truck, with its nominal payload of 320 tons. These vehicles typically operate at a single mine throughout their life, which simplifies the challenges of sizing and deploying an effective hydrogen refueling infrastructure to service the vehicle fleet.

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GM has announced that it will collaborate with Nel Hydrogen US, a subsidiary of Nel ASA, to pursue cost-effective hydrogen fuel production via a new joint development agreement.

Founded in 1927 and based in Oslo, Norway, Nel ASA is focused on the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen from renewable energy sources. Nel was the first company in the world with a fully automated alkaline electrolyzer production line, creating an opportunity to industrialize the production of its PEM electrolyzer equipment. Meanwhile, GM has made great strides in fuel cell technology development, thus offering

substantial synergies with Nel’s PEM platform.

The Nel PEM electrolyzer works on the same principle as a hydrogen fuel cell, but in reverse. While GM’s HYDROTEC fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity and water, the PEM electrolyzer uses electricity and water to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

The sum of hydrogen industry transactions signed in 2021 exceeded the sum of similar transactions between 2016 and 2020. The California Fuel Cell Collaboration is a public-private alliance that strives to accelerate the deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and hydrogen

refueling facilities. In 2019, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard was amended to include incentives for developing hydrogen refueling and electric car fast-charging facilities. By 2025, Canada intends to focus sector expansion on centers focused on established hydrogen technology.

Hydrogen has been used in transportation, synthetic fuel, oil refining, chemicals, and the power segments

GM will produce HYDROTEC fuel cell systems using globally sourced parts at its Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing joint venture with Honda in Brownstown, MI.