Tailored Technology

Equipping a police car with the latest technologies can cost state and local governments more than $50,000, and that price can double when information technologies are added, say police departments and industry observers. Such installations typically resemble small networks created for a home or office, and are nearing the simplicity of plug-and-play performance because of commercial-off-the-shelf technology options. The Woodcrest Vehicle Center in Riverside, Calif., specializes in making police technology installations more efficient and satisfactory for all end-users. The company relies on a wiring harness placed underneath the car’s seats that has different wires for different uses. To reduce the potential for radio interference, two harnesses are placed on opposite sides of the car. The harness also decreases the number of possible troubleshooting points from dozens to just three. In addition, a roll-out electronics tray in the trunk facilitates the addition of components, and can also be removed for repairs. The tray can accommodate two electronic boards stacked together. The firm was created by three entrepreneurs: Jack Kelley, a former officer at the Riverside Police Department; Tom Harper, a retired fleet manager; and Danny Gonzales, who designs off-road racing cars. One of the trio’s innovations includes placing the center console at an angle to make the radio, lights, and siren more accessible and too steep to put drinks on.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Mobile Government (09/04) P. 18; Foster, Raymond .