Patrol Cars Can Now Turn Into Mobile Police Stations

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Police departments the world over are keeping an eye out for any new technology that might aid them in doing their job in a more efficient, safe, and faster way. From cameras on the officers’ uniforms, meant to keep track of officers’ conduct towards citizens, to better communication system and control centers designed to provide the fastest response possible. Now a new technological solution enters the service of the police force in Spain.

Meet the Connected Police Car – a vehicle equipped with a technology that converts patrol cars into real mobile police stations. This solution was developed by the Spanish company Ficosa in collaboration with Telefónica and was recently presented at the International Security, Safety and Fire Exhibition 2016.

The patrol car has a center console which is equipped with a rugged laptop with a 10-inch touchscreen which can endure adverse conditions such as rain, extreme heat, etc. In addition, the 3G and 4G Telefónica connection allows the device to send and receive, in real time, images and videos, from the car to the police station, and vice versa. It also has an automatic license plate reader (ALPR) by which the agents can detect whether vehicles around have been stolen or are on the lists of suspects.

This smart vehicle also integrates three video surveillance cameras located at the front, in the interior and at the rear of the car. These cameras are able to record any activity that happens on its viewing angle and allow agents to generate an alert if an abnormal situation is detected, facilitating the future searching of the recorded video.  According to Defense World, Ficosa has also included an integrated antennas system with fractal technology that enhances connectivity in the vehicle.

“The Connected Police Car is an important step in enabling policemen to carry out different procedures without having to be at the police station, as well as offering them new tools to facilitate their work with the aim of improving the citizen security,” says Ficosa CEO, Xavier Pujol.

The Connected Police Car project, which is in its pilot phase, has already seven cars currently circulating in the provinces of Madrid, Zaragoza and Valencia. After this trial period, it is expected to be implemented in 150 to 200 patrol cars throughout Spain.