Falkville, Alabama - Population 1337, with a jurisdiction of 18 square miles, should be a fairly easy assignment for law enforcement.  Yet, the same problems that exist in larger cities are common in smaller communities.  Unfortunately, the benefits of modern technology are often limited only to those with large tax revenues.  However, there are exceptions and Falkville is one of them!

It all started on Good Friday afternoon 2003.  Of course no one was working, except in this case, former Chief Tom Cross and Burch Falkner of Falcon Direct who strolled in around 3 p.m. with the announcement that he had something that might be of interest.  It was, and is, called a SilentPartner.  Technically, the SilentPartner is a GPS vehicle tracking system with automatic downloading of data to an administrative computer with mapping and archiving capabilities.  Putting it another way, SilentPartner is a completely concealed vehicular GPS receiver with a data transmitter that automatically sends patrol vehicle activity reports to an administrative computer each time the patrol vehicle returns to the station.  The information is formatted into a simple report that tells the Chief where each vehicle traveled during the shift, how fast it was driven, where it stopped, and how long it stopped.  This information can be reviewed for each vehicle, for each shift, in just a few minutes.  Print outs can be made if desired and the information can be archived for later retrieval.  Unlike other GPS systems, there are NO MONTHLY CHARGES associated with the SilentPartner system!

When the SilentPartner system was originally introduced, the main benefits were perceived as better administrative control and an increased level of legal protection for the officers.  These benefits were clearly shown within the first week of operation plus several unexpected services to merchants and citizens in the community.  The Falkville Police Department was fortunate in having discretionary funds available for outright purchase of the system and strong support by the Mayor and Council.  The SilentPartner system is under consideration by several other law enforcement agencies who would like immediate implementation but do not have current funding available.  

Falcon Direct, with a long background of service to public safety users has developed several unique financial programs to meet the needs of those who do not have immediate funding available.  Those departments who have grant applications or task force funds in process for release within the next year can qualify for special deferred payment programs. These programs allow quarterly or annual payments as well as low interest governmental lease purchase programs.  Additional information on these financial programs is available by calling 1-800-489-2611 or locally in the Birmingham metro area at (205) 854-2611.  However, we were discussing the benefits reported by Chief Cross.  Now, back to our story...

One of the most dreaded fears of law enforcement officers is the charge of rape.  Jobs have been lost and reputations ruined over situations where it gets down to the word of one person against another with no witness.  The cost to the department can be expensive in defending these cases as well.  The SilentPartner provides an additional level of legal protection for the officer when it can be proven that the officer was not at the place and time of the alleged incident.  Chief Cross relates the story of a rookie officer who arrested an intoxicated female driver.  The driver stated that she would do anything to avoid being arrested. As it turns out, the SilentPartner system had just been installed.   The rookie officer held her on the side of the road until backup arrived, then transported her directly to jail after a search of the vehicle.  SilentPartner showed that no detours were made and that all the officers time was accounted for. There could have been a rape charge related to this incident if he had delayed his decision.  In this case, the officer made the right decision by asking for advise quickly, supplemented by the testimony of a witness that neither of them knew was present.  SilentPartner is on the officer's side when it counts!

From an administrative viewpoint, SilentPartner gives Chief Cross a snapshot of all vehicle activity during each shift.  While it is true that some cities have found officers taking six-hour naps, traveling outside their jurisdiction, and spending time where they shouldn't be, this was not the case in Falkville.  However, additional benefits were made possible through the use of SilentPartner for merchants and homeowners in the community.  Every Chief in every community, regardless of size faces the continual dilemma of trying to serve many citizens with few officers.

Every councilperson expects to see a patrol vehicle in their neighborhood at frequent intervals.  Business owners expect frequent premise checks, and of course, there is the never-ending need for speed enforcement on major thoroughfares.  On top of that, there are frequent complaints of patrol vehicles parked for long periods of time and speeding through residential areas for no apparent reason.  SilentPartner provides a solution to all these issues, effectively, and inexpensively - as little as a nickel an hour per vehicle!

Falkville officers have been instructed to make periodic high visibility neighborhood patrols (that's code talk for making sure that patrol vehicles are seen on the streets where council persons reside) and to make sure that the same speed limits enforced on the public are applicable to patrol vehicles.  Chief Cross was delighted to find that his rookie officer was actually driving well below posted limits.  Complaints concerning speed violations and inattention to residential areas can now be addressed and resolved by review of archived patrol reports.  Case closed! 

An unexpected benefit came as a result of tracking merchant premise checks.  Complaints of premises not being checked can now be quickly dismissed, or corrective action taken as required, by referring to the patrol vehicle reports.  By referring to the time of the last check from the SilentPartner report, Chief Cross has been able to work burglary cases before they go cold.  With premise checks typically made at two-hour intervals, the department is able to take action much quicker by referring to SilentPartner reports to more closely determine the time of the event.  SilentPartner has closed the event time window from 12 hours or more to less than two hours.  That's what good policing is all about!

When asked if there were any negatives associated with the installation of the system, Chief Cross noted that there was only a single dead spot of several hundred feet in his entire jurisdiction while traveling in a northerly direction (there is no problem while traveling south in this area).  This has not proven to be a problem since the system automatically reconnects within a matter of seconds.  This condition can occur when the GPS receivers temporarily lose contact with a minimum of three satellites (three satellites are required for proper position reporting).  Operationally, this has not caused any problems.  

A second issue involved the installation in one of the cars when a 2-way radio power cable  was accidentally grounded.  As a result the 2-way radio could not be turned off.  The problem was quickly corrected by the radio technician.  The SilentPartner is covertly installed, so covertly in fact that the technician was unaware of the fact that the SilentPartner had been installed.  As a matter of fact, none of the patrol officers were aware of the installation.  It took one of the local citizens who was under the influence to kick a power cable loose while being transported.  As Chief Cross noted, these folks have an uncanny knack of getting body parts in places where they don't belong!

Is Chief Cross pleased with the SilentPartner system?  Let's put it this way.  Available funding did not allow installation in all vehicles initially.  All vehicles WILL be equipped within 30 days after the initial installation.  Or, summing it up in the words of Chief Cross, Fantastic!

The original SilentPartner system has been upgraded with an advanced version known as the Shadow Tracker™ Premier.  You can read more about this new system and how inexpensively it can be installed in your department by clicking on the following link - www.falcondirect.com/GPS/Shadow.

Thanks for visiting with us.

The Falcon Team
At your service!

Chief Cross resigned in March of 2004 to accept a position in the private sector
and is now back in Law Enforcement serving with the Town Creek Alabama PD.
Burch Falkner can be contacted at (205) 854-2611, toll free at 1-800-489-2611
or by email at burch@falcondirect.com
 

Copyright 2006 - Falcon Direct, Inc.
This page was last updated on 01/10/2006