23 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Wichita Police Department is trying newer technology to lessen the chance of officers and citizens getting injured or killed during potentially dangerous situations.
On Thursday, Lieutenant Aaron Moses said uniformed officers are already getting trained on some of the newer tools while other products are still in the works.
Axon Body 4 camera
Moses said all uniformed officers will be getting new body-worn cameras. The Axon Body 4 cameras featured an expanded field of view, improved video quality, and extended battery life.
He said officers will also be able to stream video to supervisors if necessary.
“As part of our new contract, every uniformed member, from the chief of police to the patrol officers and community service officers, will have a body-worn camera,” Moses said.
The officer can choose between a chest-mounted or a head-mounted camera.
The transition to the Axon Body 4 cameras will start in the spring.
In-car video cameras
The WPD is testing Axon in-car video cameras. These are different from police dash cameras.
“These cameras complement chest-mounted body cameras, providing additional footage with the rear seat of the vehicle,” Moses said.
The WPD plans to equip 14 vehicles with the in-car cameras.
Automatic recording
Moses said the WPD is investing in technology that will automatically activate body-worn cameras when a police light bar is turned on or when a taser or a gun is drawn from a holster.
Taser 10
Training started last week on the Axon Taser 10. Police say there are many benefits of the new taser versus the previous one officers used.
It holds 10 probes at a time compared to just two, giving officers more shots before they have to transition to a gun.
The range is 45 feet compared to the X2’s 25 feet.
It is yellow, not black, which minimizes the risk of confusion with a handgun.
“We will closely monitor taser deployments to assess any impact on use of force situations,” Moses said.
The tasers will be available to all uniformed personnel while they are on duty or when they are in uniform at a part-time job.
Virtual reality headsets for training
The WPD is using VR headsets for training officers. Moses said the headsets allow the officers to practice through realistic, high-intensity situations.
“These virtual reality headsets also allow for those scenarios to be experienced from both an officer and a citizen perspective,” he said. “Through these headsets, we can allow an officer to experience what someone with schizophrenia may be experiencing when dealing with an officer.”
He said the VR headset experience also extends to people on the autism spectrum.
Drones
The WPD says Axon drones have also started arriving. The drones have high-resolution cameras. They can be used for monitoring crowds, traffic, emergency scenes, and finding missing people.
“We are in the process of finalizing the policy governing their use,” Moses said. “This policy will be available to the public as we understand and respect the public’s concern for privacy interests.”
He said the WPD is selecting pilots for the drones. They will be trained and get FAA certification.