Laser Dazzler for Non-Lethal Force Applications.

LE Systems has developed a new tool, for today's Law Enforcement, Corrections & Military Communities. Under the sponsorship of DARPA's Joint Program Steering Group, LE Systems has completed and delivered ten prototype non-lethal laser flashlights. The Laser Dazzler,is designed to allow the officer to "reach out" to their suspect.

Working with Phillips Laboratory, [PL/LIDAI, and the National Institutes of Justice, NIJ, the design incorporates features, which allows the officer to disorient, confuse, and distract the suspect, without causing bodily harm.

The Laser Dazzler is essentially a handheld, green, 532mn diode pumped laser. The 532nm frequency was chosen for it's unique ability to react with the human eye in both daylight and reduced light conditions, causing disorientation and confusion. The second advantage is the range of green light is, "orders of magnitude" greater than white light

Eyesafe at the aperture, the Laser Dazzler will have a temporary effect on the officer' or soldier's 5 adversary. It presents to the target, an "optical wall", which will cause most suspects to turn away from the light. Although a minimal use of force, the Laser Dazzler gives the user a "time cushion" that is found in no other device. This "time cushion" allows a safe standoff distance, greater officer safety, surrender, de-escalation, or other force options to be exercised. Another feature of the flashlight is the "strobe" effect, built into the programmable power supply, which modulates the laser, to add to the distraction I disorientation effects.

In encounters between law enforcement personnel and persons demonstrating passive resistance or emotionally disturbed individuals, the distance between the two can be directly related to force needed to control the individual and the potential for violence. With conventional tools currently available to law enforcement, the officer must get within close personal distances to employ any non-lethal measures. Closing this distance increases the risk to the officer and to the escalation of the event. Less-lethal measures can increase the standoff distance to approximately 25 meters, but the potential for injury or even death is real.

Non-Lethal devices, such as the Laser Dazzler, are not meant to replace anything tools currently used in law enforcement. They are to add to the versatility of law enforcement, dealing in today's litigfous world. The goal of non-lethal devices is greatly different from less-lethal devices. Non-lethal devices offer temporary control, their effects are uncomfortable, they cause no injury, and there are no lawyers. Less-Lethal devices offer a higher level of control, but the potential for injury or death must be carefully weighed before use.

The Laser Dazzler, in its current configuration, can be effectively used beyond distances of fifty meters. This allows for a large "time cushion", enhanced officer safety, and a tremendous effect referred to as a "Psychological Takedown". This is the ability to effectively interact with a subject, by overwhelming the senses without injuring, and without getting within close personal distances.

The Physical design of the Laser Dazzler is critical. This device is designed to look like and be operated like a typical law enforcement flashlight. This is to maintain a consistency in training with the officer. All of the physical skills needed to utilize the Laser Dazzler, as a stand-alone device or in conjunction with a duty firearm, are the same as those currently used with a flashlight. (Figure 1)

The mechanical design of the Laser Dazzler is very straightforward. The assembly consists of four subassemblies. The "Patent Pending" LE System resonator, a four cell rechargeable battery pack, computer controlled power supply, and the Beam Expander assembly. Each subassembly is modular, allowing for independent assembly, and computerized testing prior to final assembly.

LE Systems inc. expects to be able to begin, "limited", deliveries of the Laser Dazzler by the end of 1998, to selected end users. The initial device incorporates, "off-the-shelf technology, and ~e second generation will be "smaller, lighter, and less expensive

 

Keywords: Laser, Non-Lethal, Dazzle, 532nm and Eyesafe

Author: Jay Kehoe, Applications Director
LE Systems, inc.
60 Sequin Drive
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Phone: (860)633-0459 Fax(860)633-3284
E-Mail: LBSYSTEMSRAGL.COM