High-Tech Equipment for Police on Display at San Diego Event

The man demonstrating the device was small, and the volunteer was 6-foot-4 and weighed 235 pounds. Yet the demonstrator had no trouble subduing him in a way that would have rendered him harmless had he been belligerent.

For the demonstrator it was simple. He took an object, shaped like a question mark, from a small pouch on his belt and hooked it over the volunteer’s wrist, twisting it behind his back in an armlock and forcing the volunteer to the floor.

R. S. Kashef was using a patented control and restraining device called the Handler 12. Kashef is one of the 35 vendors displaying some of the latest developments in law enforcement equipment at the third international gathering of law enforcement instructors that runs through Saturday at the Hanalei hotel on Mission Bay.

Among other gear on display are a weapons firing simulator, a motion detector, protection equipment and other control and body-restraint devices.

The event is being staged by the San Diego Police Department and the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, a nonprofit educational organization.

Among the unusual equipment is MACHO, the product of a Florida company,. It is designed to protect officers from injury while being trained.

The company provides a protective armor that officers refer to as the Redman suit. It is made of bright red foam with a vinyl rubber covering. The suit consists of separate guards for the head, body, thighs, neck, arms, shins, groin and mouth.

While protected by the Redman, unarmed law-enforcement trainees can learn options to using weapons for self-defense, said Dave Calloway, a representative of the company.

Another vendor displayed the motion detector. The Lifescan Flir-6 uses infrared sensors to detect intruders in the dark or to find accident victims. The flashlight-sized detector gives off a vibrating sensation when a target is found.

Another high-tech development is the Firearm Training System. Since its development five years ago, about 300 have been dispersed nationwide, said Derrell Carnes. The system uses a video to show films of simulated street crimes.

The films are viewed by trainees on a big screen as they pretend they are involved in the event. They use laser guns to shoot at criminals on the screen when they believe lives are endangered. A computer hookup provides an on-screen critique of officers’ performance, which officers fire their weapons and how many shots are fired.

The computer-controlled system also analyzes the performance of officers in high-stress situations. It lets them know if they made the right decision when they fired, or if they waited too long to shoot.

Yet another innovation comes from Ripp Products, providers of Quick Cuff and Quick Leash. These are lightweight leg-, wrist-, and body-restraining devices.

“I’m introducing a new concept and product that can hold someone prisoner by using restraints made of Velcro,” company president Bill DeVane said. “When wrapped around a person’s body, it can withstand a force of up to a 1,000 pounds.”

DeVane used a spectator to demonstrate how the restraints work. He wrapped the strips around the man’s arms and upper body. He twisted and turned, but was unable to free himself.

“It works like a straitjacket,” said DeVane. “It’s restricting his upper-body mobility.”

Carol Prichard of Hoffman Enterprises said these restraints have a more humane look to the public.

“Officers are looking for a more humane way to restrain people,” she said. “Chains and metal devices give the public a negative impression. It looks a lot more cruel. The (nylon) restraints are more humane because they can’t hurt a person.”

The more the person struggles, Prichard said, the tighter the material gets. It does not give.