OPD Safety Committee MDT Safety Study - · PDF fileOPD Safety Committee MDT Safety Study February ... of the monitor is approximately 17-18 inches ... the superior visual field. A

OPD Safety Committee MDT SafetyStudy

February 2002

©TheSafetyCommitteeoftheOmahaPoliceUnion/SterlingSolutions&Systems,Inc.

CopyrightInformation

TheSafetyCommitteeoftheOmahaPoliceUnionismakingthispresentationavailableforlawenforcementuseonlyandhasmadeSterlingSolutions&Systems,Inc.adistributorforcopies.Noadditionalcopiesofthepresentationcanbemadeunlesspermissionisgrantedbyeitherentity.


OMAHAPOLICEDEPARTMENTSAFETYCOMMITTEEMOBILEDATATERMINALSAFETYSTUDY

FEBUARY2002

TheOmahaPoliceDepartmentiscurrentlydeployingPanasonicCF27ToughbooklaptopstyleMobileDataTerminalsinmarkedpolicecruisers.TheSafetyCommitteeisinagreementwiththeCitythattheCF27Toughbookisadurablelaptopstylecomputer,designedforanumberofindustrialapplications.Themanufacturer,Panasonic,isanestablishedcompanywithanproventrackrecordofserviceafterthesale.TheCF27Toughbookiscurrentlybeingutilizedinmanypolicedepartmentsaroundthenation.TheSafetyCommitteecommendsthecityforitscommitmenttoimprovingandenhancingthetechnologyoftheOmahaPoliceDepartment.

TheSafetyCommitteebelievesthattherearelogistical,ergonomicandsafety/tacticalconcernsaboututilizingthePanasonicCF27Toughbook,oranylaptopstyleMDT,withintheconfinedspaceofapolicecruiser.ThefollowingareconcernsaboututilizinglaptopstyleMDTsinpolicecruisers.


LAPTOPMDTCRUISERPROJECT InordertoassessthesafetyandergonomicconcernsoflaptopstyleMobileDataTerminals,thesafetycommitteegatheredthreeofficersofdifferentheights.

Officer#1)–6’3’’



Toassesstheeffectsoflaptopstylemobiledataterminalsonofficersafetyandergonomics,thecommitteeconsultedmedicalexpertsandtookdigitalphotosofofficersutilizingvariousequipmentinapolicecruiser.


ToDeterminethePhysiologicalEffectsonOfficersUtilizingLaptopStyleMDTsinPoliceCruisers,theSafetyCommitteeContactedtheFollowingIndependentMedical/HealthProfessionals.TheirOpinionsAreAttached.

Dr.ThomasW.Hejkal,MD,PhD

AssociateProfessor

UNMCDepartmentofOphthalmology PramilaKalaga,

HumanFactorsSpecialistIII(Ergonomics)

NebraskaDepartmentofEducation

VocationalRehabilitation

PROFESSIONALSOURCES


VISIBILITY

AIRBAGCOMPLIANCE/VISIBILTY:

ForalaptopstyleMDTtobeproperlyinstalledintoapolicevehicleitmustbeairbagcompliant.InorderforaMDTtobeairbagcompliant,itmustnotinvadetheareainwhichadeployeddriverorpassengersideairbagwouldoccupy.AirbagcompliancealsorequireslaptopstyleMDT’stobeinstalledlowenoughsoasnottointerferewithapassengersideairbagdeployment.LoweringthelevelofalaptopMDTtosatisfyairbagcompliance,createsanotherofficersafetyconcern…visibility.Whenanofficerisconductingatrafficstop,bothfrontalandperipheralvisioniscrucial.Inthetrainingacademy,officersaretrainedtoalwayskeeptheirlineofsightfocusedonthevehicleorsuspectsinvolvedinatrafficstop.Whileitisimpossibletofocus100percentofanofficersattentiononsaidvehicleorsuspectswhilewritingaticket,F.I.card,etc,officersaretrainedtopositionaticketbookinahighpositiontokeepthevehicleinhisimmediateperipheralvision.Thedangeroushabitoflookingawayfromavehiclewhilewritingaticketoronanotepadcanhavetragicconsequences.


ThefollowingaremeasurementsofthePanasonicCF27,inan“openuser”position,anditsplacementinanOmahaPoliceDepartmentFordCrownVictoria:

CURRENTLAPTOPDIMENSIONS

Thetopofthemonitoris5inchesbelowthedash

Thecenterofthemonitor,inanopenposition,is9.5inchesbelowthedash

Theaveragelineofsightforanofficertoobservevehiclesinfrontofthecruiserduringatrafficstopis7inchesabovethedash

Thetotaldifferenceinheightis16.5inches

Thecenterofthemonitorisapproximately17-18inchesoffsettotherightofthedriver,anapproximateangleof30-45degrees

Thetotaldistancebetweenthecenterofthemonitorandoptimallineofsight isnearly2feet


OPDLaptopMDT SarpyCo.SDComponentMDT

MDTCOMPARISON


Accordingtoourtrafficstopsimulations,thereisaconcernaboutanofficer'sabilitytoeasilyshifthislineofsightfromthemonitortothesuspectvehiclepositionedinfrontofthecruiser.Mostofficersarerequiredtophysicallymovetheirheadtoshifttheirlineofsightbetweenthefrontofthecruiserandthemonitor.

ItistheopinionofthesafetycommitteethatthedrasticdifferenceinlineofsightdistanceandelevationbetweentheMDTlaptopmonitorandthesuspectvehiclecreatesatacticalconcern.Anofficerfocusingonthelaptopmonitordoesnothavethenecessaryperipheralvisiontoquicklyperceiveanimmediateorevolvingthreatfromthefrontofthecruiser.


“LINEOFSIGHT”CONCERNS


“Visualization of a vehicle in front of cruiser while using the MDT”

“Bothsystemsrequirevisualfixationawayfromavehicleduringatrafficstop.Howeverthedash-mountedMDTrequiresasmallerangleofdeviationfromtheforwardvisualaxisthantheconsole-mountedlaptopdesign.Withtheconsole-mountedlaptoptheverticaldeviationoftheeyesisapproximately30%greater(39vs.30degrees)andthehorizontaldeviationapproximately20%greater(36vs.30degrees)thanwiththedash-mountedMDT.Thevisualacuityoftheeyeandthesensitivityoftheeyefordetectingobjectsofagivensizeandbrightnessdecreasesdramaticallyasonemovesawayfromthecentralvisualaxis.Therefore,wecanexpectthattheabilitytodiscerndetailsofactivityinandaroundavehicledirectlyinfrontofacruiserwouldbeworsewiththeconsole-mountedlaptopcomparedtothedash-mounteddesign.”

ThomasW.Hejkal,MD,PhD

PROFESSIONALMEDICALOPINION


PROFESSIONALMEDICALOPINION

“Anotherfactorinfluencingthevisualfieldistheamountofuppereyelidclosurethatoccurswhentheeyesareindowngaze.Withthe30%greaterdowngazethatisneededtoviewtheconsole-mountedmonitor,moreuppereyelidclosurewilloccurwithacorrespondinglimitationofthesuperiorvisualfield.

Arelatedfactorthatmayinfluencemonitoringofastoppedvehiclemaybetheneedtoturntheheadtoadequatelyvisualizetheconsole-mountedmonitor,whereasthedash-mountedmonitormayrequireredirectingtheeyesonly.Withoutaheadturn,refixationtothefrontcanbeachievedwithasaccadiceyemovementinafewmilliseconds.Amuchlongertimeforrefixationwillbeneedediftheheadandneckmustberepositioned.”

ThomasW.Hejkal,MD,PhD


LINEOFSIGHTWITHCOMPONENTMDT


ADDITIONAL LINE OF SIGHT CONCERNSIt has been said that the detachable keyboard on MDTs might create,yet another, line of sight safety concern. During traffic stops, officerswho may not be proficient or comfortable with typing on low mounteddetachable keyboards,may have to briefly take their eyes off the suspectto enter data.

While researching other agencies who utilize MDTs, The SafetyCommittee has discovered the solution;

On-Screen Keyboards, a common feature on MDTs, allow an Officer toexecute key strokes on the touch screen monitor itself, therebyfacilitating an option for safer brief data entry during traffic stops.


MONITORBRIGHTNESSOnbrightdays,itisverydifficultforofficertoseethemonitorofthePanasonicCF27Toughbook.Themonitorisnotbrightenough.Thisissuecompoundsthelineofsightconcernduringbrightdaysasofficerswillfindthemselvesstrainingtoviewthemonitor.CommentshavebeennotedthattheCF27screensareeasilyscratchedanddamaged.Thisalsoaddstovisualconcerns.


EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

COMPANIONEMERGENCYEQUIPMENTPLACEMENTThelaptopstyleMDThaslimitedmountingpossibilitiesinsideacruiser.Airbagcompliance,inadditiontothelimitedinteriorspaceofacruiser,reducesthenumberoflaptopmountingpossibilities.CurrentlytheOmahaPoliceDepartmenthasoptedtousealaptopdockingstationthatispositioneddirectlyinfrontofthecenterconsole.ThePanasonicCF27extends16inchesfromthedash.BecausetheLaptopprotrudessofarintothepassengerarea,itbecamenecessarytopositionthecenterconsolefartherbackbetweenthetwofrontseats.Theresultofthisnewcenterconsolepositionitthatthecompanionemergencyequipmentcontrols(policeradio,rotators,publicaddresssystem,sirens)aremovedbacktoanareawherethecontrolsareoutofsightandverydifficulttoutilize.


Tallofficers,whopositionthedriversseattothefarthestbacksetting,findthecontrolspositionednearlyperpendiculartotheirtorso.Officerswhoareaverageheightorshorter,whopositionthedriverseatinthemidorforwardpositions,findthatthecontrolsareeitherperpendicularto,orbehind,theirtorso.


Positioningemergencyequipmentcontrolsinanareawheretheyareatleastwithinanofficerperipheralvisionwillallowthatofficertobettercompensateforthelossoffinemotorskillsduringhighstressdrivingsituations.Officerswhoexperiencedifficultyinutilizingtheiremergencyequipmentcontrolsduringbothnormalandhighstressdrivingconditionswillmostlikelyresorttophysicallytakingvisualattentionofftheroadandredirectingittowardstherear-positionedemergencyequipmentcontrols.Thecurrentlocationofthecontrolsrequireadriver,whoisexperiencingdifficulty,tophysicallymovehisheadanduppertorsoinordertoactivatethecontrols.Suchdramaticphysicalandvisualdiversionsofattentionfromtheroadwayhasthepotentialfordisastrousresults.

Itistheopinionofthesafetycommitteethatthecurrentrearpositioningoftheemergencyequipmentcontrolscreatesasafetyissueforofficersdrivingcruisersinbothnormalandhighstressdrivingconditions.Someofficersmayhavetheabilitytoadapttheir“musclememory”toutilizetheemergencyequipmentcontrolswithoutseeingthemduringnormaldrivingconditions.Withthatsaid,itiswidelyacceptedthatduringhighstresssituationswhichresultinareleaseofadrenaline,theaveragepersonwillencounterproblemswithfinemotorskillsandmusclememory.

CompanionEquipmentSafetyConcern


InstallationofthelaptopMDT,duetoitslargesize,requiredthattheshotgunmountsberemovedfromthepassengerfloorboard.Theshotgunmountwassubsequentlyrelocatedtotheceilingofthecruiser,directlybehindthedriver’shead.Thishascreatedanotherpotentiallyhazardousconcern.Theceilingmountedshotgunhasresultedinatleasttwoincidentsinwhichofficersreceivedmedicalattentionforheadinjuries.Thecommitteehasalsobeeninformedofseveralotherofficerswhohavesustainedundocumentedminorinjuriestotheirheadsaswell.

HazardousShotgunMountPlacement


GOOSENECKLAMPMOUNTINGPLATEThegooseneckmaplightisanMDTsafetyissuethatcanbeeasilyrectified.Currently,thegooseneckmaplightsisaffixedtoaflatpieceofmetalthatisattachedtothebottompassengersideoftheMDTdockingstation.Thesafetycommitteefearsthatintheeventofasideimpactcollision,thisflatpieceofmetalcouldimpalethepassenger’sleftthigh.AbetterpositionforthegoosenecklampwouldbetoinstallitjustaboveandtotheleftoftheAM/FMradio.


OBSTRUCTIONOFSTEERINGWHEELIntheopenpositionandwhileturnedtowardsthepassenger,themonitorofthePanasonicCF27Toughbookobstructsthedriver’sabilitytoturnthesteeringwheel.Whenturningthesteeringwheelwithbothhands,thedriver’srighthandcomesincontactwiththetopcornerofthemonitor,causingapotentiallydangeroussteeringwheelobstruction.


ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICFEASABILITYANDCOMFORTCurrently,theOmahaPoliceDepartmentismountingthePanasonicCF27Toughbooklaptoponafixedmountthatispositionedinthemiddle(fromsidetoside)ofthepolicecruiser.Inordertocompletereports,anofficermusttwisthisuppertorsoatanangleanywherefrom30°to45°foranextendedperiodoftimeinordertousethekeyboard.Furthermore,the“docking”stationdoesnotallowtheMDTtoslidetowardstheofficerwhichcompoundsthisabnormalposition.

Thesafetycommitteefearsthatofficersmayeventuallysufferfromanonsetoflowerbackdisordersasaresultofextendedabnormalsitting/typingpositioning.


“Alaptopmountednearthemiddleofadashboardandswiveledtowardstheuserinthefrontseatofthecarposesthefollowingproblems”

“Biometricallyawkwardconstrainedbodyposture,whichifmaintainedforprolongedperiodsoftime,suchasforenteringreportsonthecomputer,islikelytosignificantlyincreasetheriskofbackpain,neckpainandothermusculo-skeletalproblems.Posturalproblemsinusingthelaptopnotedwere,rotationatthewaistcombinedwithlateralflexionatthewaist,awkwardpositioningoftheshoulders,arms,wristsandhands,androtationandflexionoftheheadattheneck”

“Musculo-skeletalfatigueandpainfromawkwardposturesreducingthefunctionalreadinessofthepoliceofficer.”

PramilaKalaga,

HumanFactorsSpecialistIII

PROFESSIONALERGONOMICOPINION


ADJUSTABLE MOUNTS

OMAHA POLICEDEPARTMENT SAFETY

COMMITTEEASSESSMENT OF HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE MDC MOUNTS

APRIL 2002

PRESENTED BY: TROY KISTER, AARON HANSON, PAT TELLEY, PAT McQUADE, JEFF THEULEN


OVERVIEW

In February 2002, the Omaha Police Department Safety Committeepresented the OPD administration with a series of safety concernsrelated to the positioning of the laptop Mobile Data Computer (MDC) and other related equipment in marked police units.

The OPD administration and the safety committee have workedtogether to address many of those issues.

• OPD is currently testing a new component called the “Smart Siren”that will consolidate the emergency equipment controls, therebymaking them more accessible.

•OPD removed patrol shotguns from ceiling mounted racks,temporarily placing them in the trunks until a better mountingsolution is decided upon.

•OPD is currently testing a height adjustable MDC mount.

The safety committee appreciates the dedication that the OPDadministration has put forth to ensure the safest working

environment possible for the men and women of the Omaha PoliceDepartment.


COMPARISON OF HEIGHTADJUSTABLE MOUNTS

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLEANGLED MOUNT

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLEVERTICAL MOUNT


HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE ANGLED MOUNT

BENEFITS-•MONITOR CAN BE RAISED TO ADDRESS LINE OF SIGHT CONCERN

•HAS THE ABILITY TO SWIVEL

•POSSIBLY AIRBAG “FRIENDLY” WHEN LOCKED DOWN WITH MDC CLOSED


HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE ANGLED MOUNT

DRAWBACKS-

•DIFFICULT TO LOCK DOWN (TOOK DEMONSTRATING OFFICER ALMOST 15SECONDS)

•FELT AND APPEARED FLIMSY

•DOES NOT CORRECT ERGONOMIC CONCERNS

•CREATES AN AIR BAG NON-COMPLIANCY ISSUE WHEN IN AN OPEN USER POSITION(OPEN LAP TOP, ANGLED TOWARDS OFFICER, ADJUSTED TO A HIGH POSITION)

•DOES NOT ADDRESS SCREEN BRIGHTNESS / DAY TIME VIEWING CONCERNS (seeimages on previous page)

•REQUIRES TWO HANDS TO LOCK DOWN

•MOVES MDC FARTHER AWAY FROM PASSENGER OFFICER IN TWO OFFICER UNIT

•SWIVEL FUNCTION IS NOT TIGHT, COULD RESULT IN STEERING WHEELOBSTRUCTION

•POTENTIAL FOR INJURY SHOULD DRIVER OR PASSENGER STRIKE IT DURINGCOLLISION


OFFICER EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY WHILEATTEMPTING TO LOCK MDC INTO THE LOWEST

MOUNT POSITION


ANGLED ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT MOUNT

ERGONOMIC CONCERNS FOR OFFICERS ENTERING LENGTHYDATA WHILE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT

OFFICERS IN PASSENGER AREA ARE REQUIRED TO REACH FARTHER ANDTWIST TORSO MORE DRAMATICALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT MDC IS

FARTHER AWAY. ALSO NOTE POTENTIAL STEERING WHEEL OBSTRUCTION.


ANGLED ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT MOUNT

ERGONOMIC CONCERNS FOR OFFICERS ENTERINGLENGTHY DATA WHILE SEATED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT

ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT ANGLED MOUNT DOES NOT CORRECTERGONOMIC CONCERNS, NOTE THAT OFFICER IS STILL

REQUIRED TO TWIST TORSO DURING LENGTHY DATA ENTRY


VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT MOUNT

BENEFITS-•MONITOR CAN BE RAISED TO ADDRESS LINE OF SIGHT CONCERN

•HAS THE ABILITY TO SWIVEL

•POSSIBLY AIRBAG “FRIENDLY” WHEN LOCKED DOWN WITH MDC CLOSED

•CAN BE LOWERED WITH ONE HAND


VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTMOUNT

DRAWBACKS-•DOES NOT CORRECT ERGONOMIC CONCERNS

•CREATES AN AIR BAG NON-COMPLIANCY ISSUE WHEN IN AN OPEN USERPOSITION (OPEN LAP TOP, ANGLED TOWARDS OFFICER, ADJUSTED TO A HIGHPOSITION)

•DOES NOT ADDRESS SCREEN BRIGHTNESS / DAY TIME VIEWING CONCERNS

•LOOSE SWIVEL FUNCTION COULD RESULT IN STEERING WHEEL OBSTRUCTION

•POTENTIAL FOR INJURY SHOULD DRIVER OR PASSENGER STRIKE IT DURINGUNRESTRAINED COLLISION.


VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT MOUNTERGONOMIC CONCERNS FOR OFFICERS ENTERING

LENGTHY DATA WHILE SEATED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT MOUNT DOES NOTCORRECT ERGONOMIC CONCERNS, NOTE THAT OFFICER ISSTILL REQUIRED TO TWIST TORSO DURING LENGTHY DATA

ENTRY©TheSafetyCommitteeoftheOmahaPoliceUnion/SterlingSolutions&Systems,Inc.

EXPERT ERGONOMIC OPINION

The adjustable height mount laptop computer in the police cruisers, are likely topresent significant usability problems for the Police Officers. From anergonomics safety perspective, they are inadvisable for frequent or prolongedperiods of use.

A height adjustable mount laptop, mounted near the center of the dashboard,still presents significant problems in terms or requiring biomechanicallyawkward, constrained body posture, in order to reach the keyboard and to readfrom the monitor. Awkward postures, (such as twisting sideways at the waistcombined with lateral flexion at the waist and over-extension of one arm, toreach the keyboard), if maintained for lengthy periods of time, are likely toresult in musculo-skeletal strain and are likely to increase chances of seriouslow-back disorders over time, such as disc herniation.

Height adjustable mounts for the laptop will not solve the problem of awkwardpostures of the torso and arms of the user.

It is recommended that the design and setup of the computer system within thepolice cruisers be carefully reconsidered, to optimize the usability of the systems.

-Pramila Kalaga

Human Factors Specialist, Nebraska Department of Education

ERGONOMIC CONCERNSAccording to the U.S. Department of Labor,

Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) , repetitive strain

injuries are the nation's most common andcostly occupational health problem, affectinghundreds of thousands of American workers,and costing more than $20 billion a year in

workers compensation.

According to the U.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics, nearly two-thirds of alloccupational illnesses reported, were causedby exposure to repeated trauma to workersupper body.

Up to 36% of all carpal tunnel patientsrequire unlimited medical treatment.


AIRBAG COMPLAINCE

AIRBAG NON-COMPLIANCY

WHILE IN THE OPEN USER POSITION, BOTH SET-UPS PLACE THE MDCIN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ZONE


FORD MOTOR COMPANY

CROWN VICTORIA POLICE / FLEET VEHCICLE

OWNER GUIDE SUPPLEMENT

PAGE 8

DUAL DRIVER / PASSENGER AIR BAGS AFFECT THE WAY POLICE EQUIPMENT CAN BEMOUNTED IN POLICE VEHICLES. ANY SURFACE THAT COULD COME INTO CONTACTWITH AN AIRBAG, ONCE IT IS DEPLOYED, MUST BE “FRIENDLY”. ONCE THE AIRBAG HASFULLY DEPLOYED, ANY PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT SURFACES THAT COULD COME INTOCONTACT WITH THE AIR BAG (SUCH AS WHEN THE BAG DEFLATES WITH THE LOADINGOF AN OCCUPANT) MUST BE “FRIENDLY”. SHARP EDGES, CORNERS OR PROTRUSIONSCOULD DAMAGE THE NYLON AIR BAG MATERIAL AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OFTHE AIR BAG.

PAGE 9

WARNING: DO NOT PLACE OBJECTS OR MOUNT EQUIPMENT IN FRONT OF THE AIR BAGMODULE COVER OR IN FRONT SEAT AREAS THAT MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH ADEPLOYING AIRBAG. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION COULD RESULT INPERSONAL INJURY

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

CROWN VICTORIA POLICE / FLEET VEHCICLE

OWNER GUIDE SUPPLEMENT

PAGE 8

WARNING: DASH, TUNNEL OR CONSOLE-MOUNTED EQUIPMENT SHOULD NOT BE PLACEDOUTSIDE OF THE SPECIFIED ZONE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION CANRESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

PAGE 14

DO NOT MOUNT OR PLACE ANY OBJECTS IN THE DEPLOYMENT PATH OF AN AIR BAG. AIRBAGS MUST BE ALLOWED TO FULLY DEPLOY WITHOUT RESTRICTION. THEDEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ANY CONFIGURATION OF POLICEEQUIPMET MOUNTING THAT PLACES OBJECTS IN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PATH.EQUIPMENT MOUNTED OR PLACED IN THE DEPLOYMENT AREA OF AN AIR BAG WILLREDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE AIR BAG, DAMAGE THE AIR BAG, ANDPOTENTIALLY DAMAGE OR DISLODGE THE EQUIPMENT.

ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTMDC

INTRUDES INTO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

ZONE


ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT MDC

INTRUDES INTO AIR BAGDEPLOYMENT ZONE


FORD MOTOR COMPANY

POLICE EQUIPMENT SAFE MOUNTINGZONE

• 11 INCH WIDTH HORIZONTALLY CENTERED ON ASHTRAYDOOR

•AIR BAG DOOR MUST NOT BE OBSTRUCTED

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

POLICE EQUIPMENT SAFEMOUNTING ZONE

• DEPTH OF 1.5 INCHES FROM DASH /CONSOLE

•11 INCH WIDTH HORIZONTALLYCENTERED ON ASHTRAY DOOR

EXAMPLES OF MOBILE DATA TERMINALS (MDTs) DESIGNED TO BE AIRBAGCOMPLIANT BASED ON FORD MOTOR COMPANY’S SAFETY

RECOMENDATIONS

SARPY COUNTY SHERIFF UNIT NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE UNIT


EXAMPLES OF AIR BAG COMPLIANT MDTs INVOLVED IN FRONT-END COLLISIONS, RESULTING IN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

CORAL GABLES P.D. , FLORIDA CORAL GABLES P.D. ,FLORIDA

COLUMBUS P.D. ,OHIO


EXAMPLES OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUSSCENARIOS INVOLVING AIR BAG NON-COMPLIANT MDCs

•DURING AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AN OFFICER ISENTERING DATA ON THE MDC. THE CRUISER ISSTRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THE DRIVEROR PASSENGER TO STRIKE THE OPEN MONITOR

•DURING A TRAFFIC STOP AN OFFICER IS ENTERINGDATA ON THE MDC. THE SUSPECT VEHICLE SUDDENLYDRIVES IN REVERSE, RAMMING THE CRUISER ANDDEPLOYING THE AIRBAG, WHICH STRIKES THE MDCMONITOR

•DURING A “ROUTINE” DISTURBANCE INVESTIGATIONAN OFFICER BEGINS TO ENTER DATA ON THE MDC.SUDDENLY THE OFFICER IS FIRED UPON AND ISREQUIRED TO ACCELERATE AWAY WITH NO TIME TOCLOSE AND LOCK DOWN THE MDC. WHILE SPEEDINGAWAY, THE OFFICER IN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.


Recommendations

ThisreportdoesnotappeartobethefirsttimethattheOmahaPoliceDepartmenthasbeeninformedoftheproblemsencounteredwhenalaptopstyleMDTisincorporatedintoapolicecruiser.ThesafetycommitteehasbeensuppliedwithacopyofacorrespondencebetweenOPDandJamesDonahue,arepresentativeofSterlingSolutions.DonahueisaconsultantwhospecializesintheconsultationandcreationMobileDataTerminalprogramsandwasenlistedtotrainofficershowtoutilizetheMDTs.

InDonahue’slettertoarepresentativeoftheOmahaPoliceDepartment,whichwascarboncopiedtoSgt.JeffBakeron19Feb2001,hewritesthefollowing;

“Laptopunitsthathavebeeninstalledincarsjustdon’twork.Thereistoomuchtimeoutofserviceandofficerdissatisfactionlevelsaremuchtoohigh.”

Inthissamedocument,hesharesadditionalconcernsaboutusingLaptopstyleMDTsthatdonothaveremovablekeyboards;

“Ifthedepartmentintendstohaveofficerswritereports,thekeyboardmustberemovablesothatitcanbesetintheofficer’slap.Somedepartmentshavehadofficerssittingina‘twisted’position,whilewearingavest,usingafixedkeyboard,towritereports.Afteraboutsixmonths,claimsforlowbackpainbeginarrivingattheworker’scompensationoffice.”

HISTORICALMDTRECOMMENDATIONS


AdditionaldocumentationsuppliedtoOPDandSgt.BakerwasacopyofapastMDTconsultation project that Sterling Solutions had recently conducted for the WarrenPoliceDepartmentinWarrenMichigan,dated6Feb2000.

ThefollowingareexcerptsfromWarrenMobileComputingPilotProjectdocument;

“MobileComputers

Asafirststep,theofficersdisqualifiedthetwolaptopentries:PanasonicandMicroslate.Theirreasoning:

Thescreendisplaysweredifficult/impossibletoseeindaylight.Inoneofficer’swords:‘ifwewanttouseoneofthosecomputersonthedayshift,wemustfirstfindalargeshadetreetoparkthecarundersothatwecanseethescreen.’

Thefixedkeyboardwasunacceptable,reasonsstatedearlier.

Duetothefootprintsizeofthecomputers,bynecessity,theyblockedtheofficer’sviewofthelight/sirencontrolsandmadethosecontrolsmoredifficulttouse.

Theofficersconcludedthattheseunitswerebothbestsuitedtoofficeenvironments.Theywouldnotadequatelymeettheneedsofpatrolofficers.”


Thedocumentalsoexplainstheconcernswithfixedkeyboardsystems;

Concernswithotherkeyboardsincluded:

Fixedkeyboards(onthetwolaptops)weresimplynotacceptable.Suchhardwarewouldcontinuetherequirementforofficerstotypeeitherleaningononeelboworonlytypewithone-hand.Bothapproachesareunacceptable.Further,twistingtothesidefordataentrybecauseuncomfortableonthelowerbackbytheendofashift


TheSafetyCommitteerecommendsthefollowingminimumhardwarespecificationsforasafeMobileDataTerminalsystemtobeutilizedinmarkedpolicevehicles.Themonitorshouldbea“componentstyle”dash-mountedmonitorthatisairbagcompliant.Dashmountedmonitorsallowanofficertokeephislineofsighttowardsthefrontofacruiser,allowinganofficertheabilitytoimmediatelyrecognizean evolvingthreatfromanyvehicleorsubjectslocatedinfrontofthecruiser.Dash mountedmonitorsareairbagcompliantiftheyarepositionedwithin1.5inchesfrom thedash.

Thekeyboardshouldbemovable,givinganofficertheabilitytoplaceitonhislaporsteeringwheelinordertoquicklyandeasilycompletereports.Thekeyboard

shouldhavethecapabilityoffirmlymountingitselftotheconsolewhennotinuse.

Inordertokeepcompanionemergencyequipmentcontrolsunobstructedandeasilyaccessible,aMobileDataTerminalshouldbeacomponentstylesystemversusa

spaceconsuminglaptopstyleMDT.

MDTmonitorsmustcomplywithindustrybrightnessstandardssothatitcanbeclearlyviewedregardlessofthelightingconditions.

MobileDataTerminalsshouldbeeasytousetouchscreensystems,andthescreens shouldbemadeofascratchresistantmaterial.


ThesafetycommitteegivesthefollowingrecommendationtorectifythecurrentMobileDataTerminalsafetyconcerns

Systemupgrade:TheOmahaPoliceDepartmentcouldpurchaseaninterfacesystemwhichallowsthePanasonicCF27Toughbooktoserveasthecentralprocessingunitandworkinconjunctionwithadashmountedmonitorandremovablekeyboard.ItwouldbetherecommendationofthesafetycommitteethattheCF27sbemountedinthetrunkandnotinsidethepassengerareaofthecruiser.Ifnecessary,anofficercouldeasilyremovetheCF27fromthetrunktoeithertakeitintoanassemblyareaoracrimescene.

OREquipmentredeployment/Allocationofmoresuitableequipment:TheOmahaPoliceDepartmentcouldredeploythePanasonicCF27ToughbookstoC.I.B.orpossiblycommandunitsastheselaptopstyleMDTsaremoresuitableformobileofficeprofessional(non-tactical)typeofapplications.TheOmahaPoliceDepartmentcouldthenacquiremoresuitableMDTsthatconformtotheminimumhardwarespecificationsmentionedabove.


POLICE WORK, BY ITS VERY NATURE, IS ADANGEROUS PROFFESSION….

WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT IS IMPERATIVETHAT OMAHA POLICE OFFICERS ARE

AFFORDED THE SAFEST WORKINGENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE.

THE OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT SAFETYCOMMITTEE IS COMMITTEDTO ACHIEVING

THAT GOAL.

Respectfully submitted,

The Omaha Police Department Safety Committee


In memory of

Deputy Thomas McCormick

Posthumously awarded the 2001 Sarpy County Crime Stoppers “Officer of the Year”award for his dedication to officer safety relating to cruiser equipment and its

selection, placement and design.

Thanks for all your help Tom.

Documents

OPD Safety Committee MDT Safety Study - · PDF fileOPD Safety Committee MDT Safety Study February ... of the monitor is approximately 17-18 inches ... the superior visual field. A