Law Enforcement Technology

APR 2014

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making sense to more agencies as they respond to an ever- increasing number of active shooter situations and similar circumstances where suspects are armed to the teeth. Slowly, this one-time niche industry is picking up speed. And some manufacturers are getting creative. The company Ring Power in St. Augustine, Florida makes an Armored Critical Incident Vehicle that's smaller in size but still heavy duty. The Rook comes with several attachments that can be purchased as a package. Law enforcement teams use the vehicle for barricade and crowd control scenarios in particular. With the Rook officers can pull up on site and maintain cover. "They can approach a house or go through a mall and they don't have to expose themselves," says Shaun Mitchell, assistant vice president and general manager of Tactical Solutions and Ring Power. The vehicle's low ground pressure maneuvers it to the back- side of houses, down stairs or through narrow hallways. When it's not being used for SWAT purposes the Rook can move cars (forklift-style) or help with storm cleanup…operators could even attach a snow blower to help clear roads. The machine itself holds one person, but the company offers rear and front armored deployment platforms that fit five a-piece. The armored platform elevates for second-story entries. "Say you've got a rural area where there's a house and no cover anywhere. You can take that platform, drop it off and have a team right next to a situation behind Level 4 armor," says Mitchell. The Rook is on its fourth-generation of design and each vehicle is custom-built. Users recently requested tapered sides on the platform, slide-in side panels, more glass and better vis- ibility. The company also added a gas-deployment system. It's wired for investigating, too. Low-light, infrared cameras on the vehicle transmit video feedback to a command center. There's one camera inside the machine, two in the front of the platform, and then five on the end of the ram: top, bottom, sides and an infrared in front. Pennsylvania State Police recently purchased two Rooks. Says Mitchell, "We're re-designing one of the escape hatches to make for an easier exit; if they had to exit the machine it's actu- ally an exit and a shooting point. But yes, we're always innovat- ing, trying to make it better." In October of last year the Fort Pierce (Florida) Police Department obtained a 61,700-pound Mine-Resistent Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP) with 5,000 miles on Improves ventilation, enhancing comfort, awareness and alertness. Light Tint DOT and TÜV approved Dark Tint TÜV approved Laser Measured for each application. FloorLiner ™ fully protects your carpet, keeping fluids and debris away from your feet. Custom-Fit for each application. Cargo Liner contains spills and dirt, while the textured fnish controls load shifting. Meets FMVSS302 and are TÜV approved. FloorLiner ™ Automotive Accessories Side Window Deflectors The most advanced interior floor protection available! Perfect for K-9 units, tactical units, or general purpose use! Call Our Law Enforcement Division Today 800-773-7787 WeatherTech.com ©2014 MacNeil IP LLC Cargo Liner Canadian Customers WeatherTech.ca European Customers WeatherTechEurope.com "The simple fact of the matter is, we don't have the luxury of hoping for the best. We need to prepare for the worst." —Chief William Lamb, Fond du Lac (Wisconsin) Police Department LET_24-28_CoverArmoredVehicles0414.indd 27 3/20/14 2:04 PM

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