MSP has “silent witness” on board

Trooper Jared Reichenbach’s patrol car was light on hardware when he started his Maryland State Police career in 2002.

Trooper Jared Reichenbach of the Maryland State Police shows a video screen in his cruiser that records traffic stops. (Megan Raymond photo)

He only could gauge speed by pacing other cars. He had to radio the dispatcher if he wanted any access to state databases, and even the radio was basic, connecting only to his Berlin Barrack. And he certainly didn’t have any devices to capture video footage.

Today, the Maryland State Police have all that and more in their familiar black and green sedans, giving troopers the technology they need to be more efficient and effective in the digital age.

Seated in his patrol car, Reichenbach is surrounded by a radar gun, a video camera, a touch-screen laptop and a bulky radio that can reach any law enforcement unit in the area.

“It’s part of the mobile office,” he said. “I definitely rely on this stuff now.”

The camera is mounted to the right of the rear-view mirror. A drop-down video screen, about the size of a bar of soap, shows a live feed or plays back old footage. A VCR in the trunk records footage to a VHS tape, which only a supervisor is allowed to handle.

Reichenbach said the camera provides instant feedback about both officer’s and suspect’s behavior during a traffic stop or a pursuit, something many in law enforcement have said comes as a useful tool for resolving complaints quickly. Old footage also comes in handy for training purposes.

Elena Russo, a state police spokeswoman, said in-car cameras came about in late 1990s. They’re now used in about 600 vehicles in the statewide fleet of patrol cars. She called cameras a “silent witness” that can provide information to both parties about a traffic stop after the fact.

Each trooper who has a camera in their car comes equipped with a wireless microphone, worn on their uniform. Troopers are obligated to tell citizens that they’re under video and audio surveillance.

Reichenbach said while some people have been known to act out, most keep their cool during a traffic stop when told they’re on camera.

“Some people are like, ‘Hey, I’m on “COPS!” ’ ” he said, mocking an over-the-shoulder wave. “No, you’re not on ‘COPS.’ ”

Russo said the state police are working to convert the current VHS method of storage to DVDs in the near future, though it’s not ready to be rolled out.

Another modern tool at the trooper’s fingertips is a touch-screen Panasonic ToughBook laptop, which state police started using in 2005. It’s connected to police
and Motor Vehicle Administration databases, so all a trooper has to do is run your ID under a bar-code scanner to pull up — without any typing or searching — your personal information, such as prior traffic stops, outstanding warrants, even your driver’s license photo.

If a trooper issues a citation, your information is wirelessly beamed to the main District Court in Annapolis as he prints out your ticket — the only piece of paper involved in the process.

“It’s not the fastest thing in the world,” Reichenbach said. “But we’re definitely up to date on technology.”

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