TSS Supplies PatrolVu 100 Mobile CCTV To Ford SVP For Cell Van Demonstrator

Nic Richell, Ford SVP, and Jeremy Coleman, TSS, with the cell van demonstrator

Traffic Safety Systems (TSS) - part of AD Group - announces that it has supplied its advanced PatrolVu 100 mobile digital CCTV solution to equip a state-of-the-art Ford Transit demonstration cell vehicle showcased at the recent NAPFM (National Association of Police Fleet Managers) exhibition held at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Owned by Ford, the cell vehicle has been fitted out by Ford SVP (Special Vehicle Preparations) and brings to market a new type of cell/split cell layout whose flexibility is expected to prove particularly attractive to police forces across the UK. The cell vehicle is one of the first installations to adopt TSS's latest PatrolVu 100 which features, at its heart, a robust and compact DVR (Digital Video Recorder) based on technology tested in the arduous mobile environment.

In the case of the Ford Transit demonstration cell vehicle, the TSS mobile CCTV solution has been configured to record footage from a wide angled, forward facing, CCTV camera on the vehicle's dashboard; two vandal resistant dome cameras to cover each cell - helping to monitor offenders on the move - and a rear facing camera positioned over the back door which can provide vital coverage when prisoners are being loaded or unloaded. The vehicle's rear view mirror also incorporates a monitor with a 4-way display so that images from all of the CCTV cameras can be viewed simultaneously by officers. Additionally, microphones are fitted for sound recording which can be turned on and off as required.

With the Ford SVP installation, the powering-up of the PatrolVu 100 happens automatically upon ignition. This means that it is always recording when the vehicle is operational so ensuring that no vital evidence is missed. It is also possible to set-up a time delay so the PatrolVu 100 will still run for a specified period if the vehicle is parked-up. This user-friendly feature allows police officers to concentrate on the task in hand, whilst those who have been arrested can be automatically monitored in the cell area of the custody van.

The vehicle's rear view mirror also incorporates a monitor with a 4-way display

Said Nic Richell, Technical Sales Manager, Ford SVP: "Our Ford Transit demonstration cell vehicle offers an extremely practical solution for police forces. Its multi-purpose layout with twin cells - as opposed to the more usual single cell - has the advantage that multiple prisoners can be carried in the same van without the need  to call out another vehicle. It is also possible to use one cell for storage while still carrying a prisoner in the other, depending on operational requirements. When it comes to the CCTV deployed, this is an essential capability in this type of vehicle for prisoner monitoring and officer safety. For instance, the evidence gathered can be used to quickly resolve any disputes over the treatment of suspects, particularly to protect officers from malicious accusations. The ability to readily download the associated video and audio which can be reviewed using PC compatible viewing software means that the validity of any complaint can be readily verified."

Commented Jeremy Coleman, Sales Manager at TSS: "With the new entry-level PatrolVu 100 we believe that we are able to offer a cost effective and capable option which is ideally suited to the primary operational requirements of cell vans such as that developed by Ford SVP - the first use of this CCTV solution in the UK - as well as panda cars."