The system, from California-based company InterMotive, is seen as an important "Officer Protection Package" technology that is currently being fitted at no cost to US law enforcement agencies that ordered the 2017 Charger Pursuit vehicle.
The package is designed to increase an officer’s situational awareness when parked and working inside the vehicle and makes use of the vehicle's rear ParkSense system and ParkView backup camera to alert an officer of any movement.
A module plugs directly into the vehicle's OBDII port and then secured under the dashboard. Engaging the AUX 1 button then activates the system - making it a simple 'plug-and-play' device.
Once activated, any of the tripped sensors will provide an alert chime for the officer to observe what is behind the vehicle via the camera display. Meanwhile, the door's central locking and power windows are secured and tail lights begin to flash.
“This technology is designed to prevent an officer from being ambushed from the rear while parked. While it does not replace vigilance, this technology acts as a second set of eyes and provides police officers with added peace of mind when they are in a parked Charger Pursuit," said FIAT Chrysler Automobiles vice president (US sales operations, fleet and small business sales) Jeff Kommor.
InterMotive notes that tragic ambushes of police officers over the last year are driving demand with an increase in the number of agencies requesting this technology.
