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Dodge’s repurposed parking sensors let cops know if anyone is sneaking up on them

Dodge’s repurposed parking sensors let cops know if anyone is sneaking up on them

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Photo: Dodge

Dodge is cleverly repurposing existing technology in its Dodge Charger Pursuit police cars to help cops stay safe. It’s called the Officer Protection Package, and it is designed to keep officers from being ambushed from behind when sitting in a parked squad car.

When the feature is switched on, the car turns on the rear-facing ultrasonic parking sensors. If they are tripped by someone walking right behind the car, a chime will sound to alert the officer to the movement, the rear camera will activate, and the car will automatically roll up the front windows and lock the doors.

To most of us, it seems like a small thing, but a number of officers have been ambushed in their police cars over the past year and the system only requires a small box plugged into the OBD II port to take advantage of existing technology already installed on the car.

“While it does not replace vigilance,” said Jeff Kommer, a vice president in charge of fleet sales at Dodge in a statement, “this technology acts as a second set of eyes and provides police officers with added peace of mind when they are in a parked Charger Pursuit.”

Dodge is including the technology standard with every 2017 Pursuit Charger.