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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1990.04.26 - 16753MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #90072 April 5, 1990 444,4. lei T. Mu104, 6.Gky BY: PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE, RICHARD D. KUHN, JR., CHAIRPERSON IN RE: SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT - PURCHASE OF VIDEO INCIDENT CAPTURE SYSTEM UNITS FOR PATROL VEHICLES TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: • WHEREAS automation of current law enforcement techniques may result in cost-effective methods to improve the criminal justice system; and WHEREAS the Sheriff's Department has received a proposal from Crim Tec Corporation regarding installation of a Video Incident Capture System (VICS) in patrol vehicles; and WHEREAS this system offers the capability to automatically capture events on tape during patrol duty by means of a video camera and sound recording unit installed in patrol vehicles; and WHEREAS the Sheriff's Department has allowed Crim. Tec Corporation to install one (1) VIC System in a patrol vehicle for testing purposes; and WHEREAS results indicate this system may be a cost effective tool for the Sheriff's Department by providing better personnel management, improved officer productivity, reduced liability exposure, and reduced officer court overtime costs; and WHEREAS the cost of the Video Incident Capture System is $6,580 per unit; and WHEREAS the benefits of this system should allow for the recovery of costs over a three (3) year period. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Sheriff's Department is authorized to purchase fifteen (15) Video Incident Capture System units from Crim Tec Corporation to be installed in patrol vehicles (10 in Traffic units and 5 in Alcohol Enforcement units). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that consideration be given to the purchase and installation of additional units if the system is found to be productive and cost beneficial. WEIN APPROVE THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE wk4ma9044mr FISCAL NOTE (MSc. 90072) April 26, 1990 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE, DR. G. WILLIAM CADDELL, CHAIRPERSON IN RE: SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT - PURCHASE OF VIDEO INCIDENT CAPTURE SYSTEM UNITS FOR PATROL VEHICLES, MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #90072 TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Rule XI-G of this Board, the Finance Committee has reviewed Miscellaneous Resolution # 90072 and finds: 1) The Sheriff's Department is requesting authorization to purchase fifteen (15) Video Incident Capture System (VMS) units from Crim Tec Corporation at $6,580 per unit, or $98,700 in total, to be installed in patrol vehicles (10 in traffic units and 5 in Alcohol Enforcement units). 2) In addition to the capital cost, operational expenses for these units include costs to lease the equipment from the Oakland County Equipment Fund beginning May 1, 1990 (estimated at $130 per unit per month) and costs to purchase tapes and storage racks. 3) It is anticipated the cost of these VICS units will be recovered over a three year period through reduced officer court overtime costs, improved officer productivity, and reduced liability exposure. 4) Funding is available in the Designated Fund Balance - Operational Improvements account (#1-10100-492-040) for transfer to the Sheriff's Department budget and Non-Departmental Revenue budget as follows: Revenue 3-10100-904-01-00-9127 Expense 4-10100-436-01-00-8670 4-10100-436-01-00-6640 4-10100-439-10-00-4820 1990 1991 Revenue $116,000 $23,400 Sheriff-Operating Transfer Out-Equip. Fund $ 98,700 $ -- Sheriff-Equipment Rental 15,600 23,400 Deputy Supplies 1,700 -5116,000 $23,400 $ -0- $ -0-fl Budgeted Projects Budgeted Projects 5) Consideration will be given to the purchase and installation of additional VICS units if the system is found to be productive and cost beneficial. FINANCE COMMITTEE wk4ap905fn Resolution # 90072 April 26, 1990 Moved byRichard Kuhn supported by McCulloch the resolution be adopted. Moved by Gosling supported by Ferrens the resolution be amended by adding an additional paragraph to read: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report on the Video Incident Capture System be made to the Public Services Committee six (6) months after installation of the System." A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the amendment carried. Vote on resolution as amended: AYES: McPherson, Moffitt, Oaks, Olsen, Pappageorge, Pernick, Price, Rewold, Skarritt, Wolf, Aaron, Caddell, Chester, Crake, Ferrens, Gosling, Huntoon, Jensen, Johnson, R. Kuhn, Law, Luxon, McConnell, McCulloch. (24) NAYS: None. (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution, as amended, was adopted. STATE OF MICHIGAN) COUNTY OF OAKLAND I, Lynn D. Allen, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on April 26, 1990 with the original record thereof now remaining in my office. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at Pontiac, Michigan this 26th day of April Lynn c).7.:•:" Allen, County Clerk OAKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT 1201 North Telegraph Road Pontiac, Michigan 48053 3131858-5000 JOHN F. NICHOLS SHERIFF BILLY J. NOUN Undersheriff February 22, 1990 Mr. Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Chairperson Public Services Committee Board of Commissioners Oakland County RE: Video Incident Capture System Dear Mr. Kuhn: Attached is a proposal from Crime Tec Corporation on a Video Incident Capture System (V1CS) to be used in Patrol Vehicles. We have been experimenting with this system in our Patrol Vehicles and would like to proceed with installation in fifteen (15) of our Patrol Units (5-Alcohol Enforcement and 10-Traffic Units). I have been in contact with the County Executive Staff and they have been very supportive of this concept. We feel that with the installation of these units that over a period of three (3) years they should pay for themselves in both reduction in Court overtime, productivity improvements and liability exposure. By utilizing these specialized personnel we will be able to track the productivity and Court overtime usage to determine the cost benefit. The funding for this project has been discussed with Mr. Martin, Director of Management and Budget, and he suggested that we utilize funding set aside for Budget Projects, as detailed in the 1990/1991 Adopted Budget. If there are any further questions, please feel free to contact me at 858-5001. Sincerely, John F.. Nichols Sheriff JFN/rneg cc: Dr. G. William Caddell, Chairperson, Finance Committee Russell Martin, Director, Department of Management and Budget CrimTec CORPORATION January 24, 1990 Mr. Dale A. Cunningham Manager, Administrative Services Oakland County Sheriff Department 1201 N. Telegraph Road Pontiac, MI 48053 Dear Mr. Cunningham: As discussed during our meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 1990, the following is the special quotation price for purchasing Video Incident Capture System's (VICS) for exclusive use in patrol vehicles belonging to the Oakland County Sheriff Department ("OCSD"). This special pricing arrangement is offered to the Sheriff Department in consideration for the support and effort provided by the traffic division during the systems developmental stages. It is expected that this level of support will continue to be supplied by the OCSD as CriniTec continues to develop enhancements to our current product line and as the Company moves forward developing additional high- technology products to serve the needs of law enforcement communities. It is agreed also, that this special price will be applied to every unit purchased by the Sheriff Department up to the number of units first requested from the Oakland County's Budget Commiltee, for a period not to exceed twelve months. That is, if the Sheriff Department requests that a unit is purchased for each of its 75 patrol vehicles, and the County only funds 10 units, then the price will remain unchanged until the OCSD purchases another 65 units. The Sheriff Department will be provided with the most functional and advanced units that CrinaTec supplies at all times. All enhancements incorporated in new units will be supplied at no extra charge. Also, all future software enhancements will be supplied to the OCSID at cost for a period of at lease two years. I thank you for the opportunity to provide this quote to you and hope that 7.re receive your order in the very near future. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me at any time. Sincerely ESSI John B. Squicciarin President Enclosure 556 N. Saginaw Pontiac, Michigan 48058 • (313) 334-3322 CrimTec CORPORATION Date Our Quotation No. Your Inquiry January 24, 1990 CT1-240101-A Kindly reference the above quotation number in your purchase order. Terms: F.O.B. our plant NET 30 DAYS D C.O.D. TOTAL QUOTE FOR 75 UNITS $493,000.00 ( . &VG( - _ By: I Oakland County Sheriff Department Mr. Dale Cunningham Manager of Administrative Services 1201 N. Telegraph Road 1 Pontiac, MI 48053 (Hereinafter called "Buyer") ATTENTION: Dale A. Cunningham ?ballet; (313) 858-5512 FAX # On the express condition that the terms and conditions stated below and on the reverse side hereof are the sole terms and conditions of this sale, our quotation is as follows: Quantity Model Number Description List Price Quote Price LE-2400M1 Video Incident Capture System Complete with the following pieces: Small, two piece color camera Automatic, motor controlled 6mm Lense B&W Monitor Remote Control Box Solid state heater & air conditioning unit Computer controlled VHS recorder unit encased in solid steel vault All wire harnesses • Wireless transmitter with attached microphone Three T-160 VHS Tapes One year warranty (excludes wires and cables) Interconnects to Decatur Radar Units* Screen read-out to include: Time - Date - Department - Car Number - Violator Speed each LE-2400M1 Complete system $8 7712.00 $6,580.00 75 LE-2400M1 Complete system $653,000.00 $493,000.00 * Decatur Radar units presently in use will need to be modified to support the computer interface. 111111111M, This quotation remains in effect for 60 days Blanket orders may be accepted for up to 12 months 556 N. Saginaw - Pontiac, Michigan 48058 (313) 334-3322 OAKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT 1201 North Telegraph Road Pontiac, Michigan 48053 3131858-5000 JOHN F. NICHOLS SHERIFF BILLY 1 NOUN Undersheriff January 30, 1990 Mr. Daniel T. Murphy County Executive Oakland County 1200 N. Telegraph Pontiac, MI 48053 ° Dear Mr.-Murphy: . . Attached is a proposal from Crim Tec Corporation concerning a Video Incident Capture System. At this time the Sheriffs Department has allowed Crim Tec to install one video system in a patrol vehicle. It would appear that this unit may be a cost effective tool for our Patrol units for Court cases, better personnel management, more officer productivity, and a reduction in liability exposure. The President of Crim Tec advised this office that you are aware of this proposal and has scheduled a meeting for your review. If the system is indeed a marketable system, and if Risk Management, and Budget feel that this could be a cost efficient tool for Law Enforcement, 1 would like to request that we order a minimum of 15 units to be installed in our Alcohol Enforcement and Traffic Units. After a period of time, if the unit is productive we could consider the installation in all of our patrol units. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 858-5001. Sincerely, _ John F. Nichols SHERIFF JFN/DACimeg Attachment COUNTY SHE* I FS DEPARTMENT 1201 North Telegraph Road Pontiac, Michigan 48053 313/858-5000 JOHN F. NICHOLS SHERIFF BILLY J. NOUN Undersheriff February 7, 1990 Mr. Russell Martin, Director Management and Budget County Executive Dear Mr. Martin: RE: Crim Tec Proposal As you are aware, this department has requested. a Video Incident .Capture System be installed in fifteen (15) of our Patrol Vehicles. At this time, to our knowledge, this is the only firm that has this system. If there are any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 858-5001. Sincerely, LI Sohn F. Nichols Sheriff /meg pc Dale Cunningham Lloyd Hampton Benefits of VICS A Reliable Witness/Aid to Investigation 1. Traffic violations including O.U.I.L. 2. Altercations between and officers and citi7.ens both verbal and physical. 3. Officer involved shootings. 4. High speed chases. 5. Officer involved traffic accidents. B. Confirms Violations I. Officer can replay violation to violator right on scene - lessens likelihood of court dispute. 2. In O.U.I.L. cases, can be played back for defense attorneys. 3. Can act as officer's notebook for detailed testimony, even if not admitted in court. C Training 1. An evaluation tool for any and all situations. 2. An accurate record of both good and unacceptable police conduct. D. Officer Performance 1. A useful tool in evaluating individual officer perfoimance. 2. An aide in evaluating various patrol functions with regard to changes in policy and/or procedures, E. Flexible Technology 1. Can be integrated with other patrol car systems both present and future. • 2. Because of aviation grade components will give years of untroubled service. F. Duplication of Effort I. Could eliminate need for another officer or officers to come to accident scenes, recovery of stolen vehicles and/or property from vehicles, or other on road incidents, and photograph or film scene. 2. Could be used for unmanned surveillance eliminating costly man hours of sitting. Cost Savings Court Time I. Less overtime, due to less time spent by officers in court on traffic violations. 2. Less time necessary for court preparation in cases that do go to trial. 3. Due to decrease in case loads, Oakland Count, which funds the District Courts, could realize savings. Liability I. Due to availability of an accurate record of each incident, potential for quashing lawsuits increases. 2. The likelihood of winning lawsuitsincreases. 3. Having the VICS will make officers more aware of proper procedures. Training I. Eliminates need to rent or buy many training videos as there is no better teacher than actual experience. Office Perfoimance I. Will tend to make officer's performance more professional. 2. Could eliminate need for "log sheets" or lengthy narrative reports 3. Will present a more detailed and succinct testimony in court, enhancing officer image. 4. An excellent PR tool Technology I. Opens up all manner of possibilities for future integration of all paper flow. 2. Can eliminate need for costly storage of records, using other duplicating methods. Workman's Comp Liability I. An accurate record of officer involved accidents in and around the patrol car. CrirnTec, Inc. Company Profile: CriraTec has identified that by automating current law enforcement techniques through the introduction of economical high-technology applications, a substantial reduction of the workload, on the entire criminal justice system will be realized. To support this idea, CriroTec has positioned itself to assist law enforcement agencies in developing and applying technological applications to significantly reduce investigation, prosecution, communication and documentation efforts. The scope of the company goes far beyond providing a limited array of consulting services or products. Instead, CriraTec is taking an active role in designing, developing and providing integrated high technoloDT systems to law enforcement agencies of all sizes. By design, the products and services provided by CrimTec will not only be cost justifiable but will be economically feasible for any size budget. However, most law enforcement agencies are not equipped to implement automation techniques since they typically have no one on staff who understands the inter- workings of automation or haw to implement and integrate technology into their operation. Therefore, the long tend.' goal of CrimTec is to bring automation technologies into the reach of all law enforcement organizations, and introduce a standard for inputting, processing and sharing law enforcement data between organizations, as well as standardizing the design, placement and operation of emergency equipment used by law enforcement personnel. During the next few years, CrimTec will focus on three specific projects to support its long term goals. These projects are: 1) A video recording system to be mounted in every patrol vehicle that will capture on tape, all incidents that occur while an officer is on duty. • This project, which is known as VICS (Video Incident Capture System) is fully described in the next section. 2) An electronic report processing system that will eliminate the current paper process for writing tickets, reports, and logs. As these reports are entered into the patrol car's data terminals, the data is instantly transmitted to the department's records division, the detective bureau, the court, as well as to county and state agencies that may need access to the infounation, In addition, the system will automatically search all reports to deternat,- -ae if the Confidential Draft a Technology Description 1119/90 This screen is used for the on-board computer as well as a monitor to view Incidents taped on the patrol vehicle's (VICS) Video Incident Capture System. 12 flSC 51-A ALITO .7"r Radar Unit Virleo Paccrder Carrtral Panel. 0000 .,::::. M:,:a. ....., ':,.::' -,-g'•: f Printer Unit )73 r it II 4 It IL .1' 11—••1 j i=t1r 1; it it II A, if ir it rt "tr It it 11 4 it ti Keyboard -Which can be moved In front of driver or cassengef Siren, PA, Light I Switch Par•er, ETC. infollnation is related to other cases under Investigation by outside departments and/or agencies. Allowing an investigator to call up and review reports that have already been processed, as well as providing the ability to search legal statutes and past reports io determine how a situation should be handled properly, will also be provided by this system. ' 3) The design, development and support of a totally Integrated, standardized emergency equipment control console for patrol vehicles. This control console will contain in one unit, the data terminal (which will also be used to view events taped on. the vehicles video recorder), a keyboard, two-way radio control head, video control unit, lights and siren controls, radar unit, printer and other switches to control electronic emergency equipment. The compact unit will be designed to allow quick and easy movement from one vehicle to another to facilitate patrol car change-over efforts. This unit is expected to set an industry standard allowing an officer from one department to use another department's vehicle without taking the time to familiarize himself as to the location of switches and controls. INTEGRATED COMMUTER AND SYSTEMS CONTROL PANEL i Cornmunic-3tion Radios Confidential Draft of Te-chnology Description 1119/90 Page 2 Recognizing that it would be impossible for CrimTec to manage all three projects at once, the Company has elected to develop the VICS project now, and the others will follow when time and resources permit. The VICS project is expected to create a major opportunity for the Company since all law enforcement agencies contacted so far have advised that they will purchase units as soon as the product becomes available. The market for VICS is large. In the United States alone, there is a market potential of over 125,000 units. This figure does not include government, military, commercial security and other industry applications. Internationally, the market for VICS could be many times the potential mentioned. However, CriinTec is currently building-up to support the U.S. market only. Any penetration internationally will have to be accomplished through joint venture agreements. CrimTec expects that it can capture a large portion of the market since it will be the first to deliver a fully integrated Video System specially designed for law enforcement applications. Conservatively, CrirnTec has projected that it will deliver over 20,000 units over the next four years. Realistically, CrinaTec believes that sales will reach upward of 50,000 units within the first three years. As CrimTec introduces a constant flow of enhancements to the VICS system, it is believed that add-on equipment sales will account for an additional revenue stream equal to the revenue generated from the sale of VICS units. Confidential Draft of Technology Description 1119190 Page 3 Project Description: CrinaTec's first project will provide law enforcement agencies with the ability to record on video tape, everything that transpires while a patrol vehicle is in operation. This project, which has been named VICS (Video Incident Capture System), is intended to play a significant role in revolutionizing law enforcement and criminal justice systems by substantially reducing the amount of time an officer must spend justifying his actions and by enhancing the courts ability to reduce its case load. VICS not only will reduce the cost of supporting law enforcement systems to the taxpayers, but also provide officers with the productivity tools necessary to enable them to perform their job properly which can reduce the constant threat of law suits and internal disciplines brought about by complaints from citizens and criminals. The VICS system is specifically designed to: • Protect officers against unfounded allegations from citizens. 4. Reduce liability exposure from possible law suits due to offender's claims of use of excessive force, harassment, verbal abuse, etc. during arrest. • e Substantially reduce the amount of time officers, prosecutors, witnesses and attorneys spend. in court. * Reduce the amount of time consumed directing internal investigations. * Provide a public relations tool by allowing an officer to show a violator the recorded version of the offense he is charged with, at the time of the incident. • Substantially reduce court case loads since it is believed that offenders would be less likely to contest violations and/or arrests when they are made aware that the entire incident had been recorded on video tape. In addition, judges may eventually be allowed to rule on cases by simply watching the incident as recorded without the need for the officer to be present. * Reduce the likelihood of errors or lost evidence since crime and. accident scenes would be recorded immediately upon the arrival of the first officer. * Enhance the accuracy of reports. -* Assist prosecutors in writing accurate complaints and warrants based on evidence provided by the recordings and. statements of. police officers and witnesses. Confidential Draft o Technology Description 1/19/90 rage 4 Environment: The current environment for law enforcement officers Is comprised of different situations that they must contend with daily. In most cases, the only way an officer can support his actions, is by his own verbal/written testimony. This provides an opportunity whereby an offender can dispute the officer and escape justice even though the offender was responsible for the crime(s) they were charged with. When an officer stops a subject for even a simple traffic violation, in numerous cases the subject disagrees with the action of the officer, which generally leads to a court hearing. This alone carries with it a substantial cost to the taxpayer for supporting not only the court's operation and the officer's salary, but the loss to the community as the officer(s) are taken away from their patrol work, to testify in court (opportunftli cost). If however, an officer is involved in more serious incidents (i.e. high-speed chase, drunk driving, accident, resisting arrest, shooting, etc.), he usually has little else to substantiate his version of the incident other than a verbal and/or written statement. Should the officer either be critically or fatally injured, then investigators must rely solely on evidence found at the scene and statement from witnesses if any, to reconstruct the incident. In situations where a citi7en charges an officer with verbal or physical abuse, the citizen in many cases has the advantage since departments are usually more concerned with their image and public relations rather than support an officer's action. In numerous occasions, it is the citizen who initiates the confrontation with a law enforcement officer. However, when a complaint is received by the department, supervisors are more inclined to accept the citizen's version of the incident rather than the officer's. This situation is even further compounded if the complainant is a public figure and/or has other friends or acquaintances around who will testify on their behalf. When complaints are filed against law enforcement officers, considerable time is usually expended by detectives and command officers investigating the allegations. These "internal investigations" which consume a tremendous amount of time and money, usually are unable to be resolved equitably since there is usually no more evidence available other than one person's word against another's. Court systems are reaching a point where they cannot effectively manage the case loads that are presented to them. As police agencies increase staffs in their attempt to curb Increases in crime brought about by growth in the populations, the number of cases that the Courts must litigate also increases. The increase in the court case load is not Confidential Draft of Technology Description 1/19/90 Page 5 necessarily followed by additional funding so courts must find other methods to streamline their process. Should undisputable evidence be available to investigators, command personnel, prosecutors and attorneys, such as a video recorded version of the incident taken at the scene as the incident occurred, officials would be in a better position to establish a expeditious, more positive resolution of cases and investigations. If the courts had available to them a recorded version of criminal acts or violations as they took place, it is expected that a great number of complaints entering the court system would be eh'rninated since the evidence would weigh heavily against the guilty partY. Although having this type of recording capability available to law enforcement officers would benefit the community in many ways, up until now, an efficient, economical and automatic system has not been available on the market. Realizing this opportunity, CrimTec Is taking the lead and is putting together a program to offer video and voice recording capabilities to any agency involved in law enforcement. Description of VICS: It is imperative, that with the litigious society we currently live in, that law officers have additional, undisputable evidence to support their actions while interacting with the public. The best mechanism to accomplish this and ensure that the actual facts are revealed when an incident OMIT'S, is to record the incident on Ena or video tape. This record can then be used as evidence to corroborate testimony and to certify without any doubt, who was responsible for any Infraction of the law, In the past there have been many attempts to mount video cameras in patrol vehicles, but they did not work for obvious reasons. For one, two persons were generally required for the system to be effective, one to handle the enforcement activity, and one to work the camera and lights. Secondly, the filming typically began after the incident was already in progress (since it usually took considerable time to set -up the camera and associated equipment), leaving most of the important facts unrecorded. Also, when it became apparent to the offender that he was being filmed, his whole demeanor changed to a more subdued behavior. Lastly, not only was the camera bulky, but it required special lighting conditions to operate effectively. The result was the reduction of the effectiveness of a two person patrol vehicle sir= one officer was delegated to operate the recording equipment. CrinaTee will offer a video camera and recording unit, small enough to be installed in all patrol vehicles. This unit will provide the ability to automatically capture on tape, 'Confidential Draft of Technology Description 1119/90 Page 5 3MEIECTil&M=S21 rcett • .~ everything that happens while the vehicle is on patrol duty. The miniature camera could either be attached to the radar antenna if installed, separately mounted on the dash board, or permanently mounted on the emergency light bar. The camera's lense would support a field of view greater than 160 degrees and would operate under almost all lighting conditions, eliminating the need for special lights. EXAMPLES OF CAMERAS TO BE SUPPORTED The main video recording unit would be mounted in the trunk of the patrol vehicle to conserve valuable space Under the dash. This also ensures the integrity of the system by keeping the tape and recording mechanism out of the reach of unauthorized people. A EXAMPLES OF WIRELESS MICROPHONE AND VIDEO RECORDING UNIT At the beginning of a shift, the officer simply inserts a blank tape into the recordfrig unit and attaches a small wireless microphone and transmitting device to his shirt to aresisemate.... Confidential Draft of Technology Description. 1/19/90 page 7 record conversations while away from the vehicle. These conversations would be recorded on the video tape along with any other information a department would required. In addition, the video unit would be interconnected to the vehicle's radar unit and/or speedometer which would allow the video system to not only capture any violation as it occurred, but also would display the violator's speed, the time and date of the incident as well as noting the speed of the patrol vehicle. In the case of drunk drivers, the unit would record everything from the time the officer first makes contact with the violator, including the weaving, erratic driving, the stop, removal from the vehicle, the sobriety test, and the altercation if one ensues, etc.. The recording can now be used to reveal the events as they actually occurred. As in many instances where there is a delay in filing reports, an officer may need. to review the recorded version of the incident to ensure the accuracy of the report. This effort, which would result in more accurate reports, would lead to more appropriate warrants and charges brought against any perpetrators. In the case of a simple traffic violation where a violator wishes to contest the facts, the officer would have the ability to replay the recording to demonstrate to the violator how the violation actually occurred. This would not only serve to enhance public relations efforts with the citizen, but should lead to a substantial reduction in court cases since the evidence would be hard to dispute. If however, a violator still elects to take the case to court, the officer would be in a position to support his testimony with the recorded evidence taken at the scene. In addition to the public relations tool advantage, the VICS unit would be a useful management tool since the system has the ability to monitor everything that happens during an officer's tour of duty. Since the device could have a wide range of "Big Brother" abilities, the company has been advised by law enforcement officials to leave control of the system to the individual officer, not the depaatilient commanders. This will enable CrinaTec to clear many of the hurdles that unions and police associations will erect which could delay the units implementation in many departments. There have been other devices manufactured that automatically records violations on film. The infounation is then fed to a computer which automatically generates a ticket made out to the vehicle's registered owner. These devices, designed to be mostly unattended, have been under scrutiny since they appear to violate the laws covering civil and misdemeanor arrests. It is unlikely that these devices will stand-up to challenges from the courts in all states. Confidential Draft of Techruplogy Description 1/19190 In the case of Crinifec's system, the unit is only designed to corroborate the officer's testimony and is not designed to be used independently of a law enforcement officer. Therefore, it is unlikely that CrirnTec's unit will receive the legal challenges of the stand-alone devices. TECHNOLOGY Most of the technology and equipment needed to produce this product has already been developed and enhanced. The approach that management took in developing the system was to combine existing technology from various manufacturers, into a single, environmentally sound enclosure that enables the VICS's system to integrate and interface with other systems installed in the patrol vehicle, rather than develop each piece of equipment in-house. Although much of the equipment used to develop VICS needed to be modified and enhanced to operate in the Company's market environment, using technology that already existed allowed CrimTec to produce a product much quicker than expected, and at a considerable cost savings. ' One technical barrier the VICS unit had to overcome before it could become practical, was the effect that weather had on the components. In. extreme cold conditions where a VICS unit would be sitting in a parked, unheated patrol vehicle, the camera and reeording units had a tendency to become so cold that they required a long walui-up period before functioning properly. To solve this problem, CrimTec built a system using the most advanced technologies available. In the case of the camera, CrinaTec provides customers with an advanced solid state system that operates in extreme cold conditions without the need for special heating elements. In demanding applications such as in patrol vehicles, CrimTec's camera delivers the sharpness needed to read license plates as well as an ability to handle everything from bright sunlight to twilight conditions. The recording unit posed a special problem since even though the electronic components could be built to withstand the elements, the tape could not. So to resolve this problem, CrimTec's VICS recording unit is encased in an insulated steel enclosure that is thermostatically temperature controlled. Due to the small size of the recorder and the level of insulation surrounding the enclosure, very little heat is required to warm the recording unit which relieves the strain on the vehicle's electrical system. As CrimTec continues to enhance its product, it is anticipated that other technical problems will surface. However, judging by our ability to solve our current problems so far with relative ease, the Company's management does not anticipate that technology, or lack of It, will be a barrier to our overall success. Confidential Draft of Technology Description 1/19190 Page 9 Eventually V1CS will be enhanced to include additional options. Two options which are . already on the drawing boards are: • 4, Remote camera capability_ The dash mounted cameras would contain a small battery supply allowing the camera to be removed from the vehicle. Sending the recorded information to the vehicle over radio frequencies, the camera can then be used to record accident and crime scenes independent of the bi/tIt in control and tape unit. • Automatic scan capability. The camera would automatically follow in the direction of the officer as he/she moves away from the front of the vehicle. In discussions with law enforcement agencies and judges, it has been identified that CrinaTec's VICS system can play a major role in solving long standing problems within law enforcement communities; this being a way to substantiate officers' actions without any doubt what-so-ever. The effect would be a more productive officer and a reduction of cases that have to be litigated within the courts. The price of each unit is expected to be under $8,000.00 and will be available in the following configurations: c. A peLuianently mounted unit which would be installed when the radios and other emergency equipment devices are installed in the patrol vehicle. ▪ A temporary mounted unit which can..be quickly moved from one vehicle to another. SUMMARY CrinaTec's VICS unit is expected to revolutionize the way law enforcement and criminal justice departments function by providing an undisputable, accurate detail of events that led to any law enforcement action. This system will be responsible for saving a substantial amount Of time and money which is currently expended justifying an officer's actions which resulted from an arrest or complaint, the managing of internal investigations and the supporting a criminal case through the court system. The direct result to the public and taxpayers is an increase in productivity of law enforcement officers and criminal justice professionals, as well as a higher conviction rate which could lead to an eventual reduction in crime_ nfidenticd Draft of Technology Description 1/19/90 Page 10