Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/169452
SPECIALIZED PATROLS Functional, yet fun Ñ eS, e2 Electric (with/without bolt-on bed) The distinguishing feature of the street-legal GEM, a brand purchased by Polaris in 2011, is that it allows for more than one rider. One common model allows for two officers—however, their website does show a design that can carry up to six. Due to the large door opening (double-hinged hard—new for 2014—or canvas doors are available), the vehicles are designed to be easy to get into and out of. For a size comparison, they are larger than a SmartCar, and 0.5 inches taller than a Chrysler minivan. This height increases visibility, improving your presence for community policing, events, parking enforcement or downtown patrol "[Law enforcement] also likes the cost of operating … which is about two cents a mile depending on your power cost … it comes to about 150 miles a gallon," says Lenny Szabo, commercial sales manager for GEMS. Put into simplest terms, the GEM is like Polaris took an electric full-sized vehicle and shrank it to size. It comes with street suspension, front and rear disc brakes, pedal brake and the same acceleration/steering controls you'll find in your patrol car. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ will be able to stand upright, raising it's force multiplication exponentially. It will offer similar specifications as its two-wheeled siblings, but it will be slightly larger. The Segway technology has been around for 13 years and with, according to MacDonald, roughly 10,000 units purchased one might guess the picture of an officer "tooling around" on one to be ordinary. Segways still grabs attention and beefs up patrol presence. Officers are able to respond quicker, cover nine times more ground than on foot, access "predestinarian-only" areas all while presenting an image without a significant barrier between them and the people. Range — 35 miles Top Speed — 25 mph Acceleration — unavailable Vehicle weight — 1,150 pounds Charging time (max time) — 8 hours On-board charging kit — Yes Battery type — Six 12-Volt flooded electrolyte Tire size — 12 inches Turning radius — 11.5 feet Training — Available through dealer i2 PATROLLER PT ■ Range — 24 miles ■ Top Speed — 12.5 mph ■ Acceleration — unspecified, dynamic acceleration based on user control ■ Vehicle weight — 105 pounds ■ Charging time (max time) — 10 hours (recharges when going downhill) ■ On-board charging kit — Yes ■ Battery type — Li-ion ■ Tire size — 19 inches ■ Turning radius — Zero degrees ■ Training available — Yes x2 PATROLLER PT ■ Range — 12 miles ■ Top Speed — 12.5 mph ■ Acceleration — unspecified, dynamic acceleration based on user control ■ Vehicle weight — 120 pounds ■ Charging time (max time) — 10 hours from zero (recharges when going downhill) ■ Onboard charging kit — Yes ■ Battery type — Li-ion ■ Tire size — 8 inches ■ Turning radius — Zero degrees ■ Training available — Yes Photography of Segway's three-wheeled product unavailable at time of publication. www.officer.com September 2013 Law Enforcement Technology 15