Vancouver Police Deploy FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera On Patrol Vessel

The FLIR (M-626L) Thermal Imaging Camera System, with marine monitor, has been fitted to the Vancouver Police 33-foot patrol vessel “R.G.McBeath VC,” courtesy of funds provided by the Vancouver Police Foundation and the department itself.

The system has four times the resolution and twice the range of earlier models, and incorporates a separate low-light camera. Both cameras in the system have 360-degree coverage on a horizontal plane, and 90-degrees on a vertical plane. The camera and monitor are operated from within the vessel, and give the vessel crews a night-time and restricted visibility capability that they did not previously have.

As the only full-time Marine Unit in the Lower Mainland, the thermal imaging unit allows the VPD Marine Unit to be more effective and pro-active in crime prevention, community policing, and security patrols, within the large maritime and foreshore environments.

Safer and earlier resolution of suicide incidents on city bridges, as well as enhanced navigation with search and rescue capabilities, are other advantages the FLIR M-626L gives the VPD Marine Unit.

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