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Washington DC Master Patrol Officer Benjamin Fettering demonstrates how a Wolfcam body camera is worn in place of a normal radio microphone before a press conference at City Hall September 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department is embarking on a six- month pilot program where 250 body cameras will be used by officers. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Florida Polytechnic University's mechanical engineering graduate student has led a project to develop a new weapon technology for the Lakeland Police Department.

Under the guidance of Mike Kalman, a fabrication specialist at Florida Poly, Kalman and his partner designed a custom bracket to fit an officer's holster that integrates with a sensor from Axon. An Axon sensor automatically activates an officer's body camera when their weapon is drawn, capturing important moments on video.

This advanced sensor does not just end there. According to Business Observer Florida, it also talks to in-car cameras, alerting the nearby officers that a weapon is drawn. This integrated system not only enhances situational awareness but also can provide an additional layer of safety and accountability for officers involved in a high-pressure situation.

Indeed, Kalman notes that the existing technology was too deep to fit in the standard holsters, thus requiring the police department to seek out the university's help to find a practical solution.

Lakeland Police Reacts to Florida Poly's Body Cam

Lakeland Police Captain Ron Bowling Jr. calls the device "efficient and reliable."

A PR Newswire report shared that the police wanted something that worked with their existing system and activated the Axon body camera whenever a Taser or weapon was turned on. Because of this and the wide-range strength and toughness they possess, the brackets were 3D printed using carbon fiber filament.

Currently standing at over 400 brackets, Florida Poly is in the process of acquiring a patent for the revolutionary device. Beyond bringing it into the light of the engineering world, this technology could mean immense improvements in terms of public safety and police accountability.

Because the brackets automatically record critical moments, they remove disputes about events that took place during incidents. Moreover, the alerts among nearby officers lead to faster response times and better coordination in times of emergency.

Topics Florida, College students