Celebrating the technological innovations designed to help officers in every facet of their jobs, Cygnus Law Enforcement Group, comprised of Law Enforcement Technology, Law Enforcement Product News, Officer.com and Enforcement Expo, hosted the second annual Innovation Awards during the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
More than 240 people gathered in the Parrish Room at the House of Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 14, for an event that honored companies for product innovations introduced between May 1, 2006 and May 1, 2007.
Ronnie Garrett, editorial director of the Cygnus Law Enforcement Group, hosted the event and noted the winning products were designed to make officers more efficient, effective and safe.
"The response to these awards has been tremendous," Garrett said. "Two-hundred-and-thirty entries were gathered from 179 companies, in the following categories of recognition: communications, computers, corrections, firearms, firearms accessories, forensics, hazmat, less-lethal, security, software, surveillance, tactical, traffic enforcement, training, uniforms and body armor, vehicle accessories and vehicles."
Representatives from participating companies noted they found the awards competition a highly attractive way to recognize their product innovations. "We have always had a fine product. I thought this was perhaps a good way to be recognized for what we are doing," says Adi Dhondy of Phoenix International/MagnumSpike, who had two products named as finalists in the Traffic Enforcement Category, one of which nabbed an Innovation Award.
The entries were judged on their innovativeness, productivity, quality, contribution, ease of use and maintainability by a panel of six distinguished law enforcement professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Judges noted they were impressed with the caliber of many of the products they reviewed. For instance, of the winning innovation in the Vehicles Category --T3 Motion's T3 Series--the judges said, "This was one of the most innovative products we judged. With a stable platform, ease of use and maneuverability, the T3 is a must for just about ANY agency."
And of Protective Products International's Ballistic Door Panels, they said, "It's about time! We've been trying to teach our officers that doors are concealment, not cover. They will now be covered with doors that offer ballistic protection."
Winners were equally thrilled. MagnumSpike's Dhondy noted they were "pleasantly surprised" by their win and excited about the name recognition capturing such a prestigious award might bring. "Compared to all the other high technology and things like that available, our product is a rather simple mechanical device," he says. "But it's a mechanical device that has already saved thousands of lives in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in the United States."
T3 Motion commented on its win. "T3 Motion is very proud to win this year's Innovation Award for the Vehicles Category," said T3 Motion Inc. Founder and C.E.O Ki Nam. "We launched the T3 Series vehicle at last year's IACP show in Boston and the response from law enforcement has been phenomenal. To win this award is a validation of the values the T3 Series represents--innovation, quality, and stability."
The following is the list of winners and finalists.
The finalists in the Communications Category were:
- EHS Inc. for its VIDMIC,
- PVP Communications' Motor-One Wireless System, and
- SureFire's SWAT Combat Radio Comm System.
The winning product--EHS Inc.'s VIDMIC--is a fully operational shoulder mic, equipped with video and audio recorders, and a camera, which is capable of taking full color video and stills.
The finalists in the Computers Category were:
- Black Diamond's Advanced Technology's SwitchBack PC,
- General Dynamics' Itronix GoBook XR-1 Notebook, and
- Trimble's Tripod Data Systems Division's Recon X-Series
The winning company was Trimble's Tripod Data Systems Division. The company's Recon X-Series gives users the option of integrated Bluetooth and 802.11g wireless capabilities, and comes with Windows Mobile 5.0.
The finalists in the Corrections Category were:
- Emsco Group's Albino Rhino,
- Omnilink's Focalpoint, and
- CAPS (Corrections Arterial Protection System) from PROTECH Corrections, an Armor Holdings company.
Omnilink won the Innovation Award for what judges called the "good use of multi-system technology for real-time alert monitoring" in its Focalpoint monitoring system.
In the Firearms Category, the finalists were:
- The MGI Hydra Modular Weapons System,
- The Nighthawk Custom Global Response Pistol (GRP), and
- The Smith & Wesson M&P 40.
The winner in this category was Smith & Wesson's M&P 40. Judges stated, "Smith & Wesson put all of the characteristics of a great duty firearm into a single package" and noted that the "gun's best feature is the adjustable handgrips instead of the standard one-size-fits-all concept."
In the Firearms Accessories Category, the finalists were:
- Beamshot-Quartron's USA GB8800,
- Luepold & Stevens 1x14 Tactical Prismatic Riflescope, and
- U.S. Tactical Supply's Grip Pod.
Judges called the winning product--U.S. Tactical Supply's Grip Pod--"a nice improvement over standard bi-pods. This device provides quick firing stability when you have to get in the prone position, with just a push of a button."
In the Forensics Category, the finalists were:
- Foster & Freeman's Web site, www.crimeshoe.com,
- Leica Geosystems' Scanstation, and
- Subrosasoft's MacLock Pick.
Judges said the winning product--Subrosasoft's MacLock Pick--was "a good investigative tool for law enforcement that provided a path to access secure data."
In the Hazmat Category, the finalists were:
- AMTI Technical Solutions Group for its R500E,
- Med-Eng Systems' EOD 9A Explosive Ordnance Disposal Helmet, and
- Morphix Technologies' Chameleon Clan-Meth Lab Detection Kit.
Morphix Technologies' Chameleon Clan-Meth Lab Detection Kit won the Innovation Award. Judges noted the product's usefulness, portability and ease of use will be its strongest points. This system provides users with a quick guide of what type of chemicals they are exposed to and features a rugged design that is needed for use in many different types of environments.
In the Less-Lethal Category, the finalists were:
- Myers Enterprises' Stun-Cuff Magnum Plus with Multi-Cuff Transmitter,
- TASER Intl.'s Taser Cam, and
- TigerLight Inc.'s TigerLight Non-Lethal Defense System--Gold Series.
TASER Intl. received the Innovation Award in this category for its Taser Cam, of which judges stated: "Taser has taken a proven system and given law enforcement a tremendous upgrade."
In the Security Category, the finalists were:
- Cogent Systems Inc. BlueCheck
- Mobilisa Inc.'s Fugitive Finder / M2500 Defense ID, and
- The Mustang Survival Rescue Stick.
The Innovation Award went to Mustang Survival for its Rescue Stick, which judges stated is both easy to carry and simple to use.
In the Software Category, the following companies' products were finalists:
- Advanced Public Safety's QuickTicket,
- Advanced Public Safety's PocketCitation, and
- SpeechGear Inc.'s Compadre Instant Translation Suite.
The winner was SpeechGear Inc's Compadre Instant Translation Suite, which judges noted, "Talking about GREAT, this is it. Nothing will get lost in translation, and it generates a transcript, no need for a translator."
In the Surveillance Category, the finalists were:
- Bullard's TacSight SE35 Camera,
- CAMERO's XAVER, and
- Video Domain Technologies' MemoCam D-V58/CELL.
Judges voted CAMERO's XAVER as the winner of the Innovation Award in this category, stating, "Wow, Through-Wall Vision.' We did not think it could get any better. What an aid for undercover operations."
In the Tactical Category, the finalists were:
- Elmo USA Corp.'s SUV-CAM,
- Hammerhead Devices' Hammerhead, and
- The UltraVision UVSS MicroDetector.
Judges called the winning product--UltraVision's UVSS MicroDetector "a neat idea that helps officers see incoming intrusions in a stake-out zone or area that has been cleared, which allows better use of personnel."
In the Traffic Enforcement Category, the finalists were:
- The Phoenix International/Magnum Spike MagnumCLAW!,
- The Phoenix International/Magnum Spike UMS-Shear Pin Design, and
- TMS Medical Technologies' Light for Life Signs.
The Innovation Award went to Phoenix International/Magnum Spike for its MagnumCLAW!
In the Training Category, the finalists were:
- Advanced Interactive Systems QuickRange,
- DriveTeam's Skid System, and
- VisioNetx HawkEye.
The winner was Advanced Interactive Systems' QuickRange, a modular, live-fire training range.
In the Uniforms & Body Armor Category, the finalists were:
- 5.11 Tactical's ZB-7 Trauma Pad,
- Bullet50's Six Shooter, and
- Point Blank Body Armor's Rapid Deployment Armor Bag.
The winner was Point Blank Body Armor's Rapid Deployment Armor Bag, which allows the concealed carry of a long-gun and offers instant ballistic protection within a matter of seconds.
In the Vehicle Accessories Category, the finalists were:
- Go Rhino!'s Public Safety Division Sliding Trunk Tray,
- Pelican Products 9450 Remote Area Light System, and
- Protective Products Intl. Ford Ballistic Door Panels
Protective Products International and Ford won an Innovation Award for the Ford Ballistic Door Panels.
The finalists in the Vehicles Category were:
- Segway's Segway x2,
- Supreme Corporation's Mobile Armored Device (MAD), and
- T3 Motion's T3 Series.
The winning product in the Vehicles Category was T3 Motion's T3 Series.
"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists in the Cygnus Law Enforcement Group Innovation Awards," says Patrick Bernardo, brand manager for the Cygnus Law Enforcement Group. "We appreciate your efforts to keep law enforcement professionals efficient and safe."
For more information on the Cygnus Law Enforcement Group Innovation Awards, finalists and winners visit www.officer.com or contact Valerie Schmitt at (800) 547-7377 Ext. 1607 or [email protected].
