THE MONOPOLE CAM
Crooks hiding in attics and under houses in Dallas County now have a greater chance of going to jail. That is since the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Warrant Execution Division started using two Raytheon Palm-IR thermal imagers. Our unit did not have much success this past summer employing the units, probably because of the unusually hot and dry temperatures. However, since it has cooled off we are finding wanted persons in attics nearly every week. For those who attended the LETA Third Annual Convention in Plano, Texas last year you are familiar with our techniques. But for those who were unable to sit in on the Patrol Techniques class I will tell you how we do it.
The Palm IR imager is attached with a Bogen model #3265 vise-clamp adapter to the top of a Bogen eight-foot expandable monopole. The imager is then connected via a basic RCA cable to a Sony mini-recorder with video screen. The imager is then lifted through the access door into the attic or stuck under the house to view into the commonly used hiding spaces. This prevents our deputies from exposing themselves to the obvious dangers inherent with searching these awkward spaces. Unlike using a mirror and flashlight, the suspect is unaware of the officer’s exact location, and may not be aware that he or she is being observed. The units have been used in the sex offender unit as well as the juvenile unit with excellent success. Naturally at first no one thought it would work but as our success rate climbs our deputies request the imagers more often.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department received the two imagers under a Department of Justice National Institute of Justice (DOJ/NIJ) grant program that was created to evaluate thermal imaging technology in patrol and narcotics enforcement. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department is a member of the Grayson/Collin/Dallas County Users Group and attends monthly meetings with other grant recipients from area departments, and representatives from Raytheon, the DOJ/NIJ, and the University of Texas at Dallas. Discussions take place regarding how well the technology is working and how it can be used more effectively. Raytheon is currently trying to develop a way to remotely adjust the imager while it is attached to the monopole. We are optimistic that Raytheon will develop a device that will make the process less cumbersome.
Recently, Detective Larry Wilson from the Plano Police Department and myself held a Basic Users Class at the DSO firearms range and trained ten deputies how to use the equipment. Now, since I haven’t written anything this long since my assignment in patrol, let me close by encouraging your calls should you have questions or need assistance and hope to see y’all in Canada.
Deputy Rick Owens #199
Dallas County Sheriff’s Department
Warrant Execution Division
133 N. Industrial Blvd., LB-31
Dallas, Texas 75207-4313
Dispatch: 214-749-8641
Office: 214-653-3530