EHS Inc., a Spanish Fork company that specializes in communications equipment for law enforcement and military personnel, is touting its latest product, the VIDMIC, a microphone and video camera combination that clips onto the front of an officer's uniform.

The device is one of a kind, with nothing else like it on the market, said Mike Marshall, the vice president of sales for EHS and one of the inventors of the VIDMIC. The American Fork Police Department was the first in the country to start using the VIDMIC, and in the past three months, nearly 80 other agencies have followed suit. Another 300 agencies are testing the product now, Marshall said, including Ogden, West Valley City and the University of Utah parking police.

"We've taken the shoulder mic and housed it so now every officer is basically a walking camera," Marshall said at a media event on Thursday at the American Fork Police Department.

Lt. Sam Liddiard of the American Fork Police Department said VIDMIC is the "up and coming thing" in law enforcement today. The department initially bought only a few of the $700 devices, but was so sold on it that it quickly outfitted all 33 of its officer with VIDMICs.

"We've been waiting for something like this for years," Liddiard said.

The device, which looks like a small walkie talkie, can be turned on with the simple push of a button whenever an officer pulls someone over or responds to a call. The one-gigabyte memory can hold up to three and a half hours of video, Marshall said, or 1,000 photographs from its 5.2-megapixel still camera.

Robby Lapp, a manufacturer's representative working with EHS, called the VIDMIC an "indisputable witness." It sees everything the officer sees, so instead of the usual he-said-she-said dynamic that is often seen after an arrest or when a complaint is lodged against an officer, investigators can just turn to the VIDMIC.

Most police and sheriff's departments use dashboard-mounted cameras, Marshall said, but only about 25 percent of the things an officer does are in front of the car. The other 75 percent is what the VIDMIC is for.

For example, if an officer pulls a car over and sees drugs on the seat, he'll arrest the driver. But later, the suspect can always claim that the drugs weren't visible and the officer conducted an illegal search. If that officer was wearing a VIDMIC, there will be no dispute that the drugs were in plain sight.

VIDMIC video footage has a high enough resolution that it's admissible as evidence in court, but many cases that involve the device will never get that far, Lapp said. Defense attorneys are often reluctant to go to trial if they know there's video of their clients' misdeeds. Lapp cited one department where indisputable VIDMIC footage led a rape suspect to plead guilty.

By forcing more criminals to plead guilty instead of taking their cases to trial, the VIDMIC could potentially save cities and counties hundreds of thousands of dollars in prosecution costs, Lapp said. An officer involved in the rape case Lapp mentioned told him that the VIDMIC probably saved at least $100,000.

"If you've been recorded doing something with video and audio, there's no way you can refute that," Lapp said.

The VIDMIC also protects officers who are accused of improprieties on the job. Marshall said 96.2 percent of officers who are charged with misconduct are exonerated when video evidence is available, and many people will simply drop their complaint if they know the encounter was recorded.

"I think the main thing is this protects officers from frivolous lawsuits and claims, it reduces agency liability, and it also increases successful prosecution," Marshall said.

The evidence can go both ways, Liddiard said. Having a VIDMIC on during an encounter helps officers stay professional, he said, and any misconduct by the officer will be plain for all to see. Officers can view the footage they've taken on duty, but only their superiors have the codes needed to edit or erase those videos.

"If an officer is doing something wrong, it's going to catch that also," Liddiard said.

Visit http://www.legear.com.au/VidMic-Video-Audio-Recorder-p/vidmic.htm to purchase online

Referring to TRU-SPEC's new 24/7 trousers as "tactical pants" would be somewhat of a misnomer. Although they're based on the multi-function trousers commonly worn by many police tactical teams, TRU-SPEC has designed the ultra-comfortable new 24/7's to easily cross the line between duty and casual wear. TRU-SPEC describes the new 24/7's as "versatile enough for stakeout or desk duty, stylish enough for a night on the town."

For maximum wearability virtually around the clock, the new 24/7 trousers are manufactured from garment washed 100-percent cotton canvas to guarantee a clean, neat appearance and day-long comfort, even on demanding double-shifts, as well as to ensure against shrinking and color fading.

The pants were designed with what TRU-SPEC calls an "Engineered Dimensional Fit." That simply means that the length of the rise increases in proportion to the length of the inseam. The result is a nearly perfect fit…or Tru-Fit…regardless of the wearer's size or body style. As a further accommodation to comfort, TRU-SPEC has integrated a Comfort Fit Slider Waistband into the trouser design. Much like the expandable waistband found on some expensive dress trousers, this band is inside, not outside the waistband. It stretches and conforms to the body shape and provides ease of movement on the job.

TRU-SPEC's new 24/7 trousers were a big hit at the 2008 SHOT Show. Now, TRU-SPEC has introduced an ultra-comfortable new Polo-style shirt that's a perfect match for the multi-function 24/7 trousers. Like the 24-7 pant, the new 24/7 Polo is intended for wear on and off duty.

The new 24-7 Polo combines two fabrics into a single garment to guarantee maximum wearability and comfort along with sharp, contemporary styling:

• The interior fabric is a micro-knit polyester treated with TRU-DRI moisture wicking technology, to help pull moisture and perspiration away from the body and keep the wearer cool and dry even in hot climates and pressure-packed scenarios.
• The exterior fabric is a lightweight, tightly knit 100 percent cotton single pique to ensure the same neat, wrinkle-free appearance and the same color-fast qualities you would expect in a top-of-the-line commercial shirt.

Like the 24-7 pants, the new 24-7 Polo, designed with Tru-Fit, has been constructed to permit the kind of free, easy movement an officer needs on the job. But, it still maintains the stylish good looks that allow it to fit in so well in an after-hours social environment.

Because the new 24-7 Polo is, first and foremost, a true working shirt for working police officers, it includes special features that active duty cops consider critical, including:

• A strategically placed microphone/sunglass loop immediately below the placket
• A dual pen/pencil slot pocket on the left sleeve, positioned for easy access

TruSpec products are only available from Authorised dealers. For a list of authorised dealers near you visit www.truspec.com.au or www.truspec.com

Men and women in uniform take the call of public service to the extreme, setting aside their own comfort and safety to protect the rights, property and lives of others. In return, they deserve only the highest performance, most comfortable and best value footwear, made by a company that takes its duty as solemnly as soldiers and cops take theirs.

Visit Bates Website

Well I had heard a lot about these boots proclaimed “brand of the year” by footwear news in 2006.

The first thing that struck me was how easy it was to set up the boots for wearing. Very easy and for veteran boot wearers a 3 minute job. I have worn many different types of boots over the last 20yrs in Law Enforcement and Firefighting. Having worn everything from Baxter’s through to Swats. I expect that my boots will excel in all areas but especially in comfort and traction. 

Some of Converse’s claims are:

•      Extra ankle support via their ankle stabilizer system.
•      A moisture absorbent liner.
•      Fewer foot and leg injuries.
•      No break in period required.
•      Reduces lower back, muscle, and joint pain.
•      Superior cushioning and comfort due to the Converse Foot Force insole molding to your foot's shape.
•      Superior Traction.
·       Freedom that is Converse Tactical and Military footwear is made with 100% non-metallic components making them 100% security friendly. 

What I found:I found these boots to be all of what they claim to be, the traction has always been a bug bear for me. I am very impressed with them in both wet and dry conditions. They were put through their paces on numerous occasions in all kind of weather conditions.

 Wiley X new Street Eyewear - Who says Safety isn't cool!

Thick, edgy designs offer a clean, refined appearance combining classic characteristics with modern flair. Street Series models feature Wiley X's proven High Velocity Protection (HVP?) Selenite Polycarbonate lenses - the same type used to protect our troops.

At Wiley X we produce our lenses using the precise amount of dyes in the manufacturing process eliminating eye fatigue and strain. Our lenses block 100% UV rays, are made of a shutterproof, selenite polycarbonate, and far exceed ANSI Z87.1 and Z80.3 safety standards.

Wiley X Street Series - Wiley X Slik

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See feedback on Converse Tactical Boots here