TORONTO - Ambidextrous assault rifles, new-generation gas masks, pink handcuffs -- just a few of the new gadgets on display at the annual show-and-tell for law enforcement officials in Toronto.
But this year's Blue Line trade show took on more weight than being just a high-tech fest for gadget geeks. It comes as the city prepares for the G20 convention and the arrival of some of the world's top leaders – giving officers a glimpse of how the latest technology can combat everything from rowdy crowds and bomb threats to outward acts of terrorism.
Police stations, government buildings, local businesses and even some downtown condominiums are already being outfitted with security laminate, according to Jeff Green, the vice president of sales for 3M Window Film Solutions.
He said his company has been flooded with calls from those who want to protect their windows from rioters.
While the laminate coating doesn't prevent the glass from breaking, it keeps the glass contained within the laminate shield.
"If someone smashes a window of a police car, the officer in the vehicle is immediately vulnerable," said Green, while sitting at his booth at the Le Parc Conference Centre in Markham. "This would buy the officer some time."
Toronto's emergency teams have already expressed interest in the Millenium Gas Mask, which comes complete with a CBRN (Chemical, Bioligical, Radiological, Nuclear) canister.
Trevor Picard, a vendor with MSA, a company specializing in law enforcement security equipment, said the mask is one item we could very well see in Toronto on June 26 and 27, when the world's top leaders come to town.
"This is for a level higher than just riot control," said Picard. "The Millenium Gas Masks are designed to protect you from every noxious gas, anything a terrorist would use."
Picard said his company has been in contact with emergency units in the city who want to prepare themselves for the influx of people -- particularly protesters -- expected in the city during the event.
"They're looking for more breathing apparatuses," he said. "Everyone is gearing up. They probably won't be wearing it but you can bet it will be in their pouch on their person."
Waiting for approval
Emergency personnel might be carrying sophisticated gas masks but the rest of their equipment will likely be technologically outdated because of Canadian safety regulations.
"The U.S. military police already have 1,000 of these," said one vendor while pointing a black stun gun with a flashing laser strobe light. "These are new to Canada, they haven't been approved yet."
The laser and light help mark a shooting target, said the Whitmore and Hobbs vendor, while flicking the light on and off. The built-in pepper spray is an additional feature that will help officers keep an aggressive suspect under control, he said, pointing to the top of the weapon.
"This is great," said Const. Mark Freemantle, a licensing enforcement officer with the City of Toronto, while handling the gun. He passed it off to his colleague, Const. David Muskowitz, showing him the correct way to hold it.
But security is about more than just weapons, said Richard Cunningham, a forensic officer with the Ontario Provincial Police. It's about all the tools that are available to keep the public – and the officers – safe.
Cunningham is one of two pilots with the OPP who are licensed to operate the Draganflyer x6, a remote-controlled flying device that takes aerial photos and video footage of a crime scene.
The device, which costs about $30,000, has been used by the OPP since 2003 in but it has not been cleared for use in places where there are large crowds of people.
However, it would certainly be useful in certain situations, especially when there is a bomb threat, said Cunningham.
"This could be used at any special event for officer safety," he said. "It takes a clear picture of places where robots can't reach without ever having to have an officer be there."
The trade show also featured several practical items that could be used right away by police. For instance:
• Thermal Imaging camera -- A thermal imaging camera that detects heat even in the most extreme situations. Even in a room full of black smoke, police would be able to see a clear image of where people are.
• Colour Coded handcuffs --Pink handcuffs were first introduced by Maricopa County Sherrif Joe Arpaio who made his toughest inmates wear pink jail garb and the cuffs to prevent them from stealing extra pairs of white underwear. Today police services across North America use colour-coded handcuffs (green, blue, orange, red to name a few) to identify a prisoner as emotionally unstable, violent or impaired.
• Medical pouches -- Police officers in Ontario are poorly equipped to help themselves when they are injured on the job. A tactical medic and infantry soldier who were at the scene when four Canadians were killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan in 2002, developed specialized medical equipment and training for front-line workers. Armed with this pouch, an officer could use a simple tourniquet to apply a bandage that would put pressure on a wound to stop the bleeding.
• Antiseptic spray –In a volatile situation, officers are often put into contact with vomit, urine, spit, blood, feces and other bodily fluids. The pocket-sized MyClyns spray is the first non-alcohol antiseptic that can be sprayed directly into an officer's eyes, ears, nose, mouth and open wounds. It claims to kill 99.99 per cent of harmful pathogens, helping prevent the spread of HIV, C-difficile, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis etc.
