Police on Manitoulin Island show off high-tech cruiser features

Wikwemikong Tribal police give a cruiser tour, featuring a mobile workstation with ALPR for real-time plate & driver checks, plus emergency gear.

The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service is inviting community members to get an up-close look at one of its newest patrol vehicles, showcasing technology designed to enhance officer safety and streamline police work.

Const. Derick Hewitt recently led a video tour of the cruiser that the service posted to social media this month.

The police service’s social media post encouraged community members to learn about the inner workings of the vehicle and the equipment that helps officers keep the area safe.

“Here’s your chance to find out,” the post said.

“Join Const. Hewitt as he gives you an in-depth look at our patrol vehicle and explains how everything works to help keep our community safe.”

Hewitt said the tour covers the key features of the cruiser.

A look inside

Inside the vehicle, the centre console houses a rack for a rifle, a radio system and controls for lights and sirens used during emergency calls. Additionally, public address system allows officers to communicate with people outside the vehicle.

“You have the driver’s seat, obviously,” Hewitt said.

“If we move, we’ll just move here to the centre console area. We have the rack where we placed our rifle.”

The cruiser also features a mobile workstation that supports a detachable tablet. Hewitt said the tablet allows officers to complete reports and conduct checks on licence plates and individuals encountered during calls for service.

The workstation is linked to an automated licence plate reader, or ALPR, that provides officers with instant information about vehicles.

“We’re able to run licence plates and query like people that we dealt with during our calls for service,” Hewitt said.

“Any information about licence plates, if they’re expired, if they’re unlicensed drivers that are registered to them or suspended.”

Back seat, other emergency equipment

Hewitt also gave viewers a look at the rear passenger area, which is equipped with hard plastic seats and seat belts.

“That’s the place where you don’t want to end up really,” he said.

At the rear of the cruiser, a large storage drawer contains emergency and investigative equipment, including a first aid kit, measuring tape, police caution tape, Narcan kits and road flares.

“Some flares if we’re at scenes of the accident at night,” Hewitt said.

“I think that’s pretty much covers our tour of the cruisers,” he said to end the video.