Northeast Oregon Regional Swat Team adding a “throw phone” to its roster
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, June 7th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – The Northeast Oregon Regional Swat team, which is composed of various members of regional law enforcement agencies, is adding a peculiar but critical piece of equipment to its roster, an aptly titled “throw phone.” As written by Union County Emergency services in a proposal to the Union County Board of Commissioners:
“A ‘throw phone’ is a device that can be quite literally thrown through a window, open door, etc. to establish communications with suspects, hostages, or those experiencing a mental health crisis at a critical incident. Crisis negotiators can use the device and associated technologies to see and hear inside the room or building, and record real-time transcripts of the conversations. This can inform law enforcement as to the situation inside, and allow for de-escalation when possible, and planning to reduce the risk to those involved when more active intervention is required.
The device in question is a model VID-AC1 836 tactical video throne phone system, featuring five high resolution cameras and various audio and video feed options. In addition to the phone itself, the team are also purchasing a CINT Commander II Negotiations Recording and Control System and associated equipment. Both the phone and the CINT-COM 2 system were selected with feedback from crisis negotiators from the La Grande Police Department and Baker County Sherriff’s Office (members of the regional swat team). Both systems will be purchased through a $29,000 State Homeland Security Program grant provided to the county in November 2023.
The equipment purchase was brought to the Union County board of Commissioners during the regular commission meeting on June 5, and subsequently approved.
