Law Enforcement Technology

JAN 2014

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COVER STORY to see what would happen in the field. Working with Dr. Thad Starner, a pioneer in augmented reality, and Georgia Tech, Stalker Radar was able to marry CopTrax with Google Glass. Field test in Byron, Georgia On September 13, 2013, Byron Police Department Sgt. Eric Ferris and K-9 Officer Corporal Clay Fauquier were outfitted with Google Glass while running the CopTrax application. For seven hours, the two officers were supervised in this field trial by Lt. Bryan Hunter and performed routine activities. "We took two guys who had never heard of Google Glass and said we want to put these weird things on our head all day and follow you around," explained Switzer. "We'd like you to do normal things like traffic stops. We'd like to take you out to the gun range and have you fire your sidearm and long gun and these guys said great." A couple of Georgia Tech professors got to go along for the ride as well. "We rode around all day and were able to get the footage of the first arrest, the first traffic stop and the first day of patrol. We have the first footage of them firing assault rifles and their Glock." Afterwards, Switzer asked the officers what their impression was. Both officers agreed the technology did not impede them in any way even while firing their weapons, which was the biggest concern due to the need to site and recoil vibration. "We were able to get video that has never ever been captured," says Switzer. Driving innovation Although the technology coming out is impressive by itself, the companies mentioned here are less about indi- vidual products and more about moving into the future. "It will drive a lot of additional innovation," says Kyriakos of Code 3. "People will use the smartphone for other things. People will wonder what a smartphone can potentially do. We're pushing the envelope and someone else will push the envelope." This continual innovation will produce even better tools for officers to use. "There are lots of things officers do that we haven't even thought of that we'll get feedback on. We'll be surprised about the uses it will have." Switzer agrees. "The products coming out of the public area are better than the ones that are coming out of the specialty area for law enforcement." In reference to Google Glass, he says, "There is a growing interest in using Google Glass as a body worn solution. There are a lot of Circle 87 on Reader Service Card www.officer.com January 2014 Law Enforcement Technology 17

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