Smart grenades, drones used in UN peacekeeping missions, neuromuscular incapacitation weapons are some of the resources that help protect and preserve lives in confrontations
The next edition of the Police Operations Congress – COP International – is scheduled to take place between October 25 and 27, 2023, at the São Paulo Expo, in São Paulo-SP. The event will offer a unique opportunity for public security professionals and the general public to learn about the latest innovations in this area. One of the main attractions is the trade fair, which brings together industries from the military, tactical, outdoor and technology sectors, and will feature a variety of innovations and non-lethal resources designed to improve the effectiveness and safety of security forces’ operations.
For João Sansone, creator and organizer of COP International, as public security evolves to meet contemporary challenges, the adoption of technologies has proven to be an effective strategy to avoid direct confrontations with opponents and these resources play a crucial role in modernizing policing operations. “Technologies allow operators in the field to deal with threats more safely. The less exposure to direct confrontation, the greater the chance of success and the protection of both officers and citizens,” says Sansone.
Technologies applied in police intelligence
The use of technology is becoming more common in police intelligence, enabling faster and more accurate analysis of large data sets to identify patterns and trends. An example of this is the use of Artificial Intelligence for facial recognition, license plate identification, city monitoring centers and finding patterns of behavior that suggest illicit or unusual activities.
Drones and smart grenades
Visitors to the fair will also be able to see the Condor Drop, a remotely operated drone capable of carrying up to 48 rounds of ammunition. For Lucas Carci Pitanga, Marketing Manager at Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, the equipment’s manufacturer, the resource offers greater precision and security in operations using different operational strategies. “The Condor Drop allows the customization of shots and routes with precision and, according to the type of incident, the agent can define the strategy that best suits them, be it tear, coloured smoke, pepper or liquid agents,” he says.
Condor manufactures products used in UN peacekeeping missions and promotes the Doctrine of the Proportionate Use of Force, guiding security agents to consider firearms as the last option in confrontational situations. In addition to the drones, the company will also be exhibiting the Ecobody, Brazil’s first biodegradable morale grenade, made from high-density cellulose paper, and the Smart Grenades with Electronic EOT, a line of smart grenades that combine explosives with advanced software for personalized control in operations. “Our focus is on developing non-lethal technologies that help security forces in their mission to maintain law and order while preserving lives,” adds Lucas.
Body cameras with bi-directional audio and neuromuscular incapacitation weapons
American company Axon is one of the exhibitors bringing non-lethal technologies to COP. With 30 years’ experience, the company is the supplier of the body cameras used by the São Paulo Military Police, whose purpose is to ensure the recording of incidents and allow the police officer in the field to have direct contact with COPOM. For Arthur Bernardes, Axon’s Senior Account Manager for Brazil, one of the advantages of this technology is the possibility of talking directly to the base without the need to use a radio. “Axon Body 4 cameras already come with bi-directional audio, which ensures much greater integration between field agents and command, making it easier, for example, to call for reinforcements when necessary, or even to pass on instructions to the police officer,” says Arthur.
Another feature to be presented by Axon is the Taser 4, a new generation of temporary neuromuscular incapacitation weapon that fires an electric discharge at the target, preventing the opponent from firing a firearm or any other more aggressive conduct.