Maine's Brewer Police Department Improves Evidence Management With Panasonic's Toughbook Arbitrator 360°

In-Car Digital Video System Delivers Reliable Video Evidence Capture to Officers in the Field

SECAUCUS, NJ – Panasonic, a leading provider of advanced mobile technology solutions for first responders and law enforcement professionals, has published a new case study highlighting the Brewer, Me. Police Department’s successful deployment of the Toughbook Arbitrator 360° in-car digital video system. The complete, mobile in-car video surveillance system has provided the department with a streamlined, reliable solution for evidence capture and management.

With illegal activity in the area increasing, the Brewer Police Department — a full-service department of 21 sworn full-time officers – needed a proven performance technology system that delivered reliable video evidence capture to assist in successful arrests and convictions. 

The department had been actively using in-car camera systems since the mid-1990s, but they lacked efficient evidence management capabilities as well as durability. Its previous camera systems could not withstand the rigors of police use, the harsh Maine weather, or other factors that impact equipment like dust and vibration. Brewer PD was in need of a rugged and efficient technology that allowed officers to easily access and maintain evidence.

As a result, the Brewer PD turned to Panasonic for a quality rugged device that could best serve the needs of their police force and improve prosecution rates. 

“It’s a great tool for liability purposes. If people make a complaint on an officer, we have everything on video so we can quickly and reliably see what really happened," said Brewer Police Department’s Deputy Chief Jason Moffitt. “Evidence management is also an important feature for the department. The back-end system allows officers to access video evidence anytime, from anywhere, with consistent, automatic uploads. Being able to access the server from any computer terminal in the station is a huge advantage,” said Moffitt. “From an evidence management standpoint, it’s tough to beat that. It’s all done wirelessly, so that’s a big deal for us."

Panasonic’s Toughbook Arbitrator 360° in-car digital video system was deployed in five of the patrol vehicles, supplying officers with a rugged system that delivers critical tamper-proof evidence essential for aiding in the legal process and improving prosecution rates. The Arbitrator delivers up to 360 degree video capture capabilities and is designed to work with back-end software for seamless video management, including archiving and retrieving.

With the Toughbook Arbitrator 360°, officers can now enhance the performance capabilities that are critical to their job and the well-being of the community they serve.

“Our positive experience with the Panasonic Toughbook computers was one of the reasons we looked at video solutions from Panasonic," said Deputy Chief Moffitt. “We felt comfortable with the Panasonic brand because they stand behind their products."

You can download the full case study here.

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