Technology Plays Key Role In Michigan's Law Enforcement And Beyond

GRAND RAPIDS ? Ask Grand Rapids Police Chief Harry Dolan about a key turning point in law enforcement over the past century, and he’ll point the family’s antique billy club toward technology.

As a well-received guest speaker at Michigan Homeland Security Consortium?s recent meeting, Chief Dolan explained the advancement of law enforcement technology through a family chronicle. He?s a third generation policeman from an Irish-American New York City family. While his grandfather could round up suspects with a single whistle (and that antique billy club), police officers today are adapting to the vast technologies that aid investigations and operational efficiency.

The adaptation doesn?t come without some growing pains. Chief Dolan?s first experience with technology in Grand Rapids was in 2000 while addressing Y2K threats. He also learned from a record keeping system that ended up as ?scrap material.? He explained it just didn?t measure up to his department?s needs.

The disappointment prompted a young officer in his force to step forward and custom-build a program that better fit the department?s needs, Dolan explained. Using precious few funds and clever execution, the officer built a benchmark record keeping system that was envied by police departments nationwide (that officer is now a sergeant, by the way).

The big lesson learned here is meeting customer expectations by understanding needs and applying innovation. Michigan-based Homeland Security companies have this capability and are currently serving global customers with ground-breaking technology and customer-focused expertise.

Let?s take a quick glimpse at some of the state?s gems in Homeland Security technologies. Traverse City-based Salamander Technologies is a leading supplier of solutions for first responder teams. Troy-based NuSoft Solutions is developing an innovative 9-1-1 system to help secure college students on campus. Albion-based Patriot Antenna Systems produces cutting-edge antenna technologies to aid global law enforcement and even NASA.

My own company, Grand Rapids-based SecureMatrix, provides law enforcement, military, and commercial/industrial users with the ability to protect outdoor sites from theft, vandalism, and even terrorist attack. We?ve developed a deployable security and surveillance system that integrates radio frequency telemetry and GPS technologies.

In every corner of Michigan, you?ll find numerous companies developing and manufacturing Homeland Security products and technologies. No longer loosely organized, these companies are gaining momentum in numbers via membership in the MichiganHomelandSecurityConsortium. You?ll continue to see our state?s Homeland Security Industry grow through their own efforts along with the advocacy of organizations like the MIHSC.

Michigan Homeland Security companies aid law enforcement, the military and commercial customers that are part of the critical struggle to protect our communities and infrastructure through advanced technology.

This column was written by Thomas Hines, CPP, PSP ? President of SecureMatrix in Grand Rapids SecurityMatrix.Com He?s also Co-Founder and President of the Michigan Homeland Security Consortium.