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June 27, 2002
Poll Finds that Officer Safety and Effectiveness Are Compromised Significantly in the Dark
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Laurel Holder
(540) 362-7374
lholder@itt.com
Marcy Walsh
(310) 659-5380
mwalsh@crtpr.com
- Fear of the Unknown and Being Under Equipped Cited as Greatest Risks.
- Light Sources Often Make Officers Targets.
- Rural Areas and Dark Building Searches Are Most Challenging.
ROANOKE, Va. (June 27, 2002) – Law enforcement officials face significant risks and feel more vulnerable when operating in dark conditions, according to the Saved by Sight online poll of more than 2,330 law enforcement officials from state, local and federal agencies nationwide.
As part of ITT Industries Night Vision’s (ITT) Saved by Sight awareness initiative, the poll was conducted on ITT’s Web site between March 22, 2002 and May 31, 2002 to help identify law enforcement’s safety and equipment issues when operating in dark conditions. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), the American Society for Law Enforcement Training (ASLET), policeone.com and policemag.com invited members and subscribers to participate in the poll.
Findings
Ninety-one percent of respondents said that their risks are somewhat high or very high when operating in dark conditions. Respondents cited lack of proper equipment, and the fact that flashlights and other light sources pose a significant risk because they enable criminals to detect an officer’s location. They also cited lack of preparation before entering a dark environment as a significant risk to officer safety.
Most law enforcement officials face dark conditions on a daily basis, according to the poll. Seventy-two percent of respondents said they faced dark, vulnerable conditions while on duty at least once per shift, with the majority of these respondents saying they face these conditions four or more times per shift.
According to the respondents, rural areas and dark building entry were the most challenging of the dark conditions they regularly encountered.
Craig W. Floyd, NLEOMF chairman, said, “We know officers are more likely to be injured or killed during the hours between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. due to heightened criminal activity and darkness. With the proper training and equipment, officers will be better prepared to operate safely at night and in dark conditions.”
Becoming a Target for Criminals
Respondents said they are most at risk due to fear of the unknown (56 percent) and being under equipped (35 percent). They cited many problems stemming from inadequate equipment in darkened conditions, including:
- The misuse of light sources, causing officers to become targets;
- An inability to properly secure the perimeter due to faulty equipment or lack of equipment;
- An over-reliance on K-9 usage and protection;
- Increased incidents of ambush; and
- Compromised officer and citizen safety due to lack of visibility.
One officer commented that one of the biggest mistakes law enforcement officials can make when operating in the dark is “making (yourself) a target with a light.” While respondents reported that light sources are effective tools for many law enforcement situations, an increasing number of scenarios require more stealth, such as building entry, surveillance and tracking.
Still, most do not have access to imaging equipment when operating in the dark. Only three percent have access to night vision (image intensified devices) and three percent have access to thermal imagers.
Respondents reported that often they could not do their jobs or their safety was compromised due to lack of proper equipment or preparation. When asked to provide a scenario in which they could not do their jobs in dark situations, respondents provided the following verbatim comments:
- “My friend was involved in a shooting situation at night. He wasn’t able to see well due to lack of lights.”
- “I did not check a building with several suspects because all I had was a flashlight and no back up.”
- “There was an encounter at the airport in which the perpetrators had night vision and we didn’t.”
- “I was ambushed on a dark rural street.”
- “I could not see a subject holding a gun in the dark brushes.”
- “I walked right by subjects hiding in the dark. My partners or I could have been killed.”
- “I had to stop tracking a suspect in the dark and wait until sunrise.”
Successful Night Operations Require Preparation and Equipment
With training, preparation and proper equipment, darkness can be an advantage to law enforcement officials. When asked to cite a successful night operations scenario, respondents offered the following verbatim comments:
- “A murder suspect ran into nearby woods, but the use of a thermal imager gave us the ability to locate him.”
- “A fellow trooper had night vision goggles that aided us in finding a suspect in an abandoned building.”
- “Flashlights, both handheld and weapon-mounted, have successfully resolved dozens of incidents.”
- “I located a dangerous suspect with a flashlight.”
- “An officer was able to track and locate a suspect with night vision equipment.”
“Darkness can be an ally or an enemy,” said Larry Curfiss, vice president, business development for ITT Industries Night Vision. “Training and preparation for using the right equipment at the right time can make the difference between success and failure in night operations.”
About ITT Industries Night Vision
For more information on ITT Industries Night Vision’s complete line of night vision equipment and training for law enforcement, security and government use, call 800/448-8678 or visit www.ittnightvision.com. ITT Industries Night Vision is based in Roanoke, Va., and is a division of ITT Industries, Inc.
ITT Industries, Inc. (ITT Industries, Inc.) supplies advanced technology products and services in key markets including: electronic interconnects and switches; defense communication, opto-electronics, information technology and services; fluid and water management and other specialty products. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, the company generated $4.7 billion in 2001 sales. In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, ITT Industries stock is traded on the Midwest, Pacific, London, Paris and Frankfurt exchanges.
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