Radar/Lidar Testing Program: History
The first step on the road to establishing IACP testing laboratories was taken in 1976 with the passage of an IACP resolution calling for federal government concern and involvement in the development of health, safety and performance standards for speed-measuring devices, the testing of the devices and publication of the results.
In order to appreciate the significance of this resolution, one must consider the environment that existed 20 years ago. For many yeasrs, radar had proven to be a beneficial tool in the enforcement of speed laws and development of evidence to support the prosecution of speeding violations. Over this span of time, technological advances led to the development of devices that were smaller, more mobile and capable of monitoring speeds in the moving mode. In addition, many units were equipped with special automated features intended to improve radar operator efficiency.
In August 1977, in response to law enforcement's needs, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) entered into an interagency agreement with the Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory (LESL) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — formerly the National Bureau of Standards — to perform a series of tasks relating to speed-measuring devices. Among the more important of these was the development of testing protocols and performance standards for police radar devices. In separate actions, NHTSA addressed the matters of police radar device operator training and the possible health hazards associated with radar use.
When developed, based on the recommendation of the IACP Technology Assessment Program Advisory Council (TAPAC), these specifications were adopted as IACP specifications for police radar devices.
Publication of the Model Minimum Performance Specifications prompted an IACP proposal to test police speed-measuring radar devices to determine compliance with the model specifications and to prepare a Radar/Lidar Conforming Product List (CPL), similar to those prepared for the other types of police equipment being tested by the IACP as part of the National Institute of Justice Technology Assessment Program. After review and agreement by NHTSA, the unsolicited proposal was accepted and, in October 1982, the IACP entered into a cooperative agreement with NIST/LESL to accomplish the testing of radar devices and publish the test results.
During the period following the specifications development and up to the period of radar testing, the manufacturers of radar devices made several modifications to their products directed toward achieving compliance with the model performance specifications.
All known radar manufacturers were contacted and given an opportunity to submit devices for inclusion in this test program. The testing resulted in the original CPL, which was published in April 1984. Since that time, there have been updates in the CPL, which are reflected in the new CPL. This list designates those devices that are recognized by the IACP as being in full compliance with the CPL requirements.
How Testing Was Developed
Three principal organizations were involved in the testing program initiation— IACP, NHTSA and NIST. These organizations collectively agreed that simply developing a Conforming Products List (CPL) would not accomplish all the goals of the testing program. Plans were developed to establish a permanent, objective and self-sustaining testing program that could provide law enforcement executives a list of enforcement technologies which have been thoroughly tested and deemed accurate and reliable, while also providing a process for introduction of new enforcement technologies.
Since the new testing program was to become a permanent part of IACP services, oversight responsibility was assigned to a standing committee, the Highway Safety Committee. After receiving a grant from NHTSA to establish testing laboratories, IACP sought to locate and obtain commitments from interested laboratories.
In the interim, at the direction of the Highway Safety Committee, IACP arranged meetings radar manufacturers, NHTSA and NIST to establish an administrative process for the conduct of the testing program. The Compliance Testing Program was the result of these meetings.
For more information, contact Sarah Horn at horn@theiacp.org.