In just the blink of an eye a police officer can be put into a life or death situation and a radio is typically their only way of communication.
The Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department has recently given its deputies special smart phones and watches as a way to stay connected.
The phones and watches are part of “First Net” which gives the devices priority when the network is congested. It’s all to help send information, pictures and a GPS location much more quickly in a time of crisis.
“With a push of the button of this watch, our staff can immediately contact 911, leave an open line for 911 if they’re fighting or struggling with somebody,” said Hillsdale County Sheriff Deputy Tim Parker. “911 can hear everything that is going on unlike having a phone and having to hold it up.”
John Wilmer has been a Hillsdale County Sheriff Deputy for more than two decades. He’s feeling safer on patrol only being armed with a new smart phone and watch for a couple days.
“Usually we have our chest mics and we are attempting to communicate, it’s broken, it’s hard, sometimes you lose your gear during a struggle and lose the ability to even radio for help,” said Wilmer.
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