July 31, 2024 – In a surprising move, Samsung, a brand typically associated with youth-oriented, fashionable, and entertainment-focused devices through its Galaxy Z Flip series, has recently repositioned one of its products as a police tool.
In a post titled “Samsung Technology Is Helping Police Authorities Protect Public Safety” on its newsroom, Samsung revealed that two police departments in Missouri have participated in a pilot project integrating the Z Flip into their daily law enforcement activities. This marks the first time a foldable smartphone has been utilized as a police body camera. Following this initiative, two more police departments have joined the program.
To cater to the specific needs of law enforcement, Samsung has partnered with Visual Labs, a professional law enforcement equipment supplier, to customize the phone. Among the modifications are the remapping of the external volume keys to serve as an emergency video recording trigger and the addition of a feature that automatically starts recording during high-speed vehicle pursuits or when police lights are activated. Videos captured can be instantly uploaded to the cloud via Visual Labs’ software.
Samsung highlights that the foldable design of the Z Flip series enhances portability and ease of attachment to police uniforms, enabling clear recording of arrests and other interactions, thus improving evidence collection and transparency. Besides its use as a body camera, the device can also capture crime scene evidence, record audio for evidence, and track officer locations via GPS.
Currently, this solution has been adopted by 25 metropolitan police departments across five states. Samsung expresses its commitment to continuing to provide relevant tools to more American police departments. Furthermore, Visual Labs has collaborated with T-Mobile to offer Android smartphone-based body camera solutions for law enforcement agencies.
It’s worth noting that the current market for police body cameras in the United States is primarily dominated by companies like Axon and Motorola. Samsung’s entry into this domain with its Galaxy Z Flip series indicates a potential shake-up in the industry, blending cutting-edge technology with the practical needs of law enforcement.
