Voice-Activated Commands
The New Hampshire State Police and the Carlsbad Police Department in California are just two of the law enforcement agencies that have purchased voice-activated technology for their police officers.
The two police departments are using Project 54 to provide officers with the capability to operate various equipment, including two-way radios, radar, lights, and sirens without having to take their eyes off the road.
The New Hampshire State Police have seen the number of radio system channels grow to 256 this spring. The high number of channels placed more of a burden on officers trying to use the two-way radio while driving.
However, the new technology allows officers to locate a particular channel through a control activated on the steering wheel. Officers can then tell the unit what channel they want selected.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from Government Technology (05/06) Vol. 19, No. 5, P. 42; McKay, Jim .