THE PRODUCT
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One of the initial products in Lassen Peak’s offering will be the world’s very first fully-integrated handheld radar system for concealed weapon detection. It will be a small, safe and easy-to-use handheld device that will offer an alternative to the traditional, and dangerous, hands-on weapon pat-down. Register here to be kept up to date with the latest news and be among the first to receive updates!
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At the present time, we are planning to announce general availability in late 2023. We’re making sure we get this right from all aspects (product performance and features, privacy and civil rights issues, legal opinions, etc). Register here to be kept up to date with the latest news and be among the first to receive updates!
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The Lassen Peak system will use radio waves that safely and rapidly scan the individual’s entire body repeatedly. The harmless radio waves will reflect off concealed objects on the body, creating a virtual image of the object that the system’s artificial intelligence (AI) will use to identify potential weapons. The technology is safe and already proven through walk-through imaging scanners in airports that employ similar technology.
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Battery life will be engineered to support operation for a minimum of 12 hours on a fully-charged and healthy battery. This will vary however, depending on the use of the device (number of scans, active screen time, etc).
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When a weapon is identified, a color-coded on-screen visual will be presented on the outline of the individual. An icon will also be placed in the gallery at the top of the screen for each weapon (or item) detected so that the officer always has visibility to the potential threats even as the individual has turned and moved the object out of the field of view.
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The system will detect any object that is not believed to be a part of the human anatomy. Lassen Peak’s development efforts will be focused on identifying weapons and objects that may be capable of causing injury; this will obviously include deadly weapons such as guns, knives, bats/clubs but will also target other items such as screwdrivers, hammers and other items that may be used to inflict bodily harm. The AI engine will focus on the most common weapon types and will alert the officer to other “unknown” items for situational awareness.
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Yes, imaging radar is material agnostic and will detect edges and shapes of objects made from various materials, such as plastic, polymer, wood, metal, etc. while also providing an indication of the material. This is especially important given the rising trend of weapons made from hardened plastic and 3D printers to evade metal detectors.
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AI will be used in the product to analyze the radar image and look for anomalies – things that do not appear to be part of the human body. Then, the AI will look at those objects in an attempt to assess the level of threat the object poses – what is the relative size of the object, what material does it appear to be, where is it on the person’s body, and what characteristics does the object have (sharp point, trigger, etc). The AI will essentially work much like our own human brains work as we look at things and classify them. Many different attributes are examined for every object, and AI improves over time as it “sees” more image data.
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Yes. The scanner will use non-ionizing low-power electromagnetic radiation that is safe for humans and animals. The scan will emit less energy than a cell phone and will be within the FCC guidelines. Furthermore, because the scanner will use innovative coherent technology, the power will be much lower than what is produced in the fixed, walk-through, imaging radar systems used in airports.
PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY
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No personally identifiable information will be collected. Regular color video will be captured for context along with radar measurements collected on all non-human objects on the body. Other metadata generated by the system and captured for later auditing purposes includes user, date/time stamp, GPS coordinates, and audio of the scan event.
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The technology can penetrate clothing and will attempt to classify any objects that do not appear to be part of the human body – calling attention to potential weapons. Because the radar reflection of the human epidermis is known, Lassen Peak should not collect any data points that are identified as epidermis.
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While the data will be stored in the Lassen Peak secure evidence cloud and hosted by Lassen Peak, the agency collecting the scan will own and manage all data associated with the scan (images series, metadata, audit information, etc).
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Only users set up and authorized by the agency will be able to access the system, and all logins and record views will be logged in an audit trail. While the system will not contain any data that would be considered criminal justice information (CJI), Lassen Peak is planning to adhere to all relevant aspects of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Policy as a best practice. This will include password complexity and change rules, two factor authentication, deactivation of dormant user accounts, network and physical security and much more.
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In addition to Lassen Peak’s planned and voluntary compliance to the FBI’s CJIS Security Policy, scan data will be double-encrypted at rest on the device, in transit, and within the Lassen Peak management system. Additionally, role-based permissions as well as a number of other agency- configured features will ensure least privilege access.
LEGAL & CIVIL RIGHTS
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There are several circumstances when this technology can be legally used within the United States:
- when a person consents to being searched, and
- in a circumstance where an to search for weapons is permitted in accordance with Terry v. Ohio (1968), and
- in a circumstance where an officer is authorized to conduct a well-being check on an individual that may be mentally ill or otherwise unable to effectively communicate, and
- pursuant to authorized procedures within correctional facilities.
Lassen Peak has received a legal opinion that a radar scan is covered under the Terry ruling and should present no 4th Amendment issues in the United States.
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The system helps protect civil rights by creating an immutable audit trail of all scan activity, thereby enabling agencies to better enforce their policies and monitor users for any disproportionate usage among certain persons or communities. Unlike a manual pat down, an accountable data log is automatically created each time the device scan is initiated – i.e., the officer conducting the search is known and accountable for the search, including being required to enter the reason or suspicion that led to the search.
BENEFITS / KEY VALUE PROPOSITIONS
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Aside from the overall improvement in efficiency and effectiveness, the system will drastically improve officer safety by allowing the officer to remain at a reasonably safe distance ( up to 10’) rather than get within arm’s reach where many physical confrontations originate. It will also allow the officer to keep his/her eyes on the individual for improved situational awareness and response time. It can also help to validate an individual’s claims that he/she does not have a weapon – avoiding escalation to use-of-force incidents and preventing unnecessary conflict.
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The Lassen Peak scan is much less invasive than a traditional “pat down” weapons search and therefore can provide a much more respectful and dignified experience through avoidance of physical contact and also by eliminating the standard protocol of having the individual lean against a wall or patrol car. It can also help prevent unnecessary escalation between the officer and the individual by validating the absence of a weapon – potentially saving lives.
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The technology will provide an audit trail of all scans conducted to provide the agency with a way of monitoring users for proper use. As with bodyworn cameras, capturing the search will provide a level of transparency and accountability for both the agency and the individual being scanned, and – when necessary – will provide the court with evidence to ensure proper actions were taken. By avoiding physical contact, the system will actually help the agency/City save money through the avoidance of avoid civil suits originating from claims of impropriety as well as preventing injuries to officers (and related workman’s comp) resulting from physical altercations.
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The technology has the potential to directly contribute to improved outcomes, safeguarding the lives of both officers and the community members they serve. This should ultimately improve the relationship between the community and law enforcement by fostering transparency, accountability, trust and respect during encounters when it is necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.