A thermal imager (TI) can give a tactical team a number of advantages, all of which will improve officer safety. Let's take a look at the advantages of using a TI over night vision goggles (NVG) in tactical situations.
A misconception is that thermal imagers are seen as the equivalent to NVG. While both can see in low-light conditions, the TI offers certain advantages for a tactical team that aren't available with NVG. First, a thermal imager can see through smoke. A tactical team can lay a smoke screen outside to cover movement, and then use the TI to monitor team advancement, as well as the movements of any suspects. Obviously, officer safety can be dramatically improved if the tactical team has the ability to see while the suspect's vision is impaired.
Night vision goggles require some amount of ambient light to function. If there is no ambient light, then special illuminators must be used. This can be a hindrance in no-light situations. For example, when a tactical team must operate in a basement or a manufacturing facility without windows, controlling the lights can be difficult. By using a TI to monitor or scan an area, the tactical team can look for the suspect's heat source without giving him the ability to see or target the team members.
The TI is totally passive, meaning it doesn't send out any signal that it is in use and points no type of light or energy toward its target. The suspect has no idea that the imager is monitoring him. This gives the officer the advantage of knowing where the suspect is and what he is doing, without alerting the suspect that he is being watched. The balance tips in the team's favor. Clearly, a TI offers many advantages that are not possible with NVG.
Thermal imaging accessories offer another advantage in many situations that can improve officer safety. By utilizing various TI accessories, officers can monitor an area or scan for suspects while watching the video output remotely. Therefore, a team can set up a TI to scan a room, building or area and monitor it from a safe position. This could mean anything from securing a perimeter to placing a thermal imager in a crawl space or attic.
For instance, attaching the TI to a pole or handle with a transmitter gives the tactical officer the ability to turn and direct the TI as needed, while the output is viewed by the team's commander outside of the danger zone. The commander can see exactly what his team is encountering, regardless of the light conditions within a building.
All of these TI benefits can give a tactical team a greater advantage especially in environments that are smoky or hazy, where eyesight is impaired.
Stay Safe!
