Oct 9, 2014 By: Mark Stevens

A year ago Ford revealed an innovative Surveillance Mode technology primarily developed for its 2014 Police Interceptor law enforcement office (LEO) vehicle. Now, Ford has announced that it will make Surveillance Mode available to its competitors in the efforts of better protecting police and military personnel everywhere.

Ford has announced the availability of surveillance mode technology, to vehicle manufacturers. It will also be available for use in military applications. The ultimate goal is to encourage expanded adoption and to help protect law enforcement officers and military personnel around the world.

Ford has been working alongside a company by the name of InterMotive to develop, manufacture, and provide the surveillance mode technology for use on the 2014 edition of the Ford Police Interceptor. Even though Ford unveiled its surveillance mode technology last year as an option for 2014 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility models, it was a huge success across the board.

The success of this technology has driven Ford and its partner InterMotive Inc to license the patent-pending system in hopes of making it available to competitors and the military worldwide. InterMotive is an organization based in Auburn California. It is known for providing various, innovative vehicle control systems mostly for use in law enforcement. “Working with Ford, we have been able to bring creative solutions to the market for many years,” said Greg Schafer, president of InterMotive. “Working with Ford on this project has been especially gratifying because of the increase in officer security surveillance mode provides – officers immediately understand just how much this product can help them in the field, mainly due to the fact that this technology features a rearview camera and radar”.

Surveillance Mode is the brainchild of Randy Freiburger, Ford’s police and ambulance engineering supervisor who said in a recent statement

“We want to assist with and improve the security of all police officers – whether they are using a Ford Police Interceptor or a competitive vehicle.” “Combining existing Ford technologies with the development of a new control module and software has created an innovative system that improves security for police officers while they are in their vehicles.”

At the recent annual conference of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Ford was given an award for Surveillance Mode’s contributions toward the improvement of officer security. Chris Danowski, director of technology commercialization and licensing, for Ford Global Technologies LLC also stated, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award from NOBLE and hope to expand adoption of the innovative technology.” “Since Surveillance Mode technology is also applicable to military use, Ford and InterMotive are showcasing it to various governmental agencies as well.”

The surveillance mode technology has received plenty of positive feedback from law enforcement officers worldwide. The primary focus of the surveillance mode technology is improving officer’s situational awareness when their vehicle is motionless. When an officer activates the system, the rear radar begins monitoring what’s happening behind the cruiser. In a press release, Ford said surveillance mode “uses the existing rearview camera and radar to detect a person approaching the vehicle from behind.” When that happens, a warning chime sounds, the cruiser rolls up the driver’s side window, locks all doors and flashes its exterior lights. As law enforcement officers sit in their vehicles, engaged in tasks such as writing reports or checking identification or monitoring their car mounted computer or radar they can activate the system to give them an extra set of eyes to guard against threats.

Of course, in busy environments with people constantly walking around, the police can also just keep surveillance mode turned off. But for those situations where law enforcement officers are working late nights or in high crime areas where visibility is minimal at best. The surveillance mode technology is a vital because it provides law enforcement officers with a few extra seconds to react and determine whether the person who is approaching their car is a threat to their safety.

It’s all about keeping police officers safe, whether they are driving a Chevy or a Dodge. Fords innovative Surveillance Mode Technology, provides these courageous men and women, who put their lives on the line to protect others with much needed technology required to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Automobile manufacturers, law enforcement agencies, or companies wanting to purchase the Surveillance Mode system can also contact its co-developer, InterMotive, at http://www.intermotive.net.