Archive for the ‘Police Tools and Equipment’ Category
What’s Inside An Unmarked Car?
Lt. Danny Carter of the Forsyth County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff William T. Schatzman) was kind enough to give us a peek inside his unmarked Crown Victoria. Lt. Carter heads up the Field Services Division/ David Platoon for his department.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is located in Winston Salem, N.C.
Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)
Here’s a look at some of the buttons, dials, switches, and other controls found on the console of a police car. Keep in mind that there is no set of standard equipment for police vehicles. Each department decides the type, make, model, and style of equipment they prefer to utilize. And some officers (me included), if allowed, choose to add an item or two to the menagerie of electronics. For example, a patrol officer who works traffic details on interstate highways may opt to install a CB radio in their car so they can contact truckers, if needed. However, some departments may not allow the installation of any electronic devices due to the possibility of damaging the vehicle’s already stretched-to-the-limit electronic system.
* I’m heading to Killer Nashville tomorrow to present a few workshops—Officer Survival/Police Defensive Tactics, CS I Don’t Think So, and Autopsies. I do hope to see some of you there. It’s a fantastic event.
By the way, I’m searching for a victim…I mean assistant, for the defensive tactics workshop. Volunteers?
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Hide-and-Seek With Blue Lights
The question of where to conceal emergency lights on unmarked police cars was the topic of discussion on a popular writer’s discussion group this week. So, I thought it might be helpful to show some of the lights used in those situations. Thanks to Wally and crew over at crimescenewriter for the idea.
Visor lights are often used by detectives in their unmarked cars. These lights can be either built into the actual visor, or as an attachment as shown in the photos above and below.
Fog lights, such as the ones pictured above, appear white or clear when not activated. However, when the switch is flipped they display their true purpose. Red and/or blue lights are easily concealed in side mirrors as well. When not in use they appear as normal turn signal lenses.
Deck and grille lights come in many shapes, sizes, and configurations. You often see these mounted to the deck inside the rear window.
Dual windshield LED light plugs into a cigarette lighter and come with a shroud for the times when the light is not in use.
Yep, the old standby beacon is still out there!
And I thought the few blue lights I had hidden in my car were distracting…
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Notice!
Details for the Writers’ Police Academy short story contest will be posted on this site tomorrow, 8-12-10.
