V13 Policetech Accelerator Updates
Continued Momentum
After AI-driven emergency response start-up Hyper took home the Pitch to the Chief™ competition grand prize this Spring (read more), the V13 Policetech Accelerator joint initiative of the Cobourg Police Service and Nventure has been busy on a number of fronts.
Working with nearby Trenton, Ontario-based Rugged Textiles, the Accelerator initiated a pilot project to test their ergonomic tactical belt system (‘Balteus Max’). Participating personnel from Port Hope Police Service and Cobourg Police Service were measured and shown how the system can be incorporated into their day-to-day activities and conform to expected belt configurations. A planned 4 to 6-month pilot will look at ergonomics, ease of use, functionality and durability of Rugged Textile’s belt design and could result in the company earning a Policetech Tested™ badge from the Accelerator.
Meanwhile, top proposals coming out of Pitch to the Chief™ - Youth Edition are providing momentum behind IT-focused summer jobs with the Cobourg Police Service (click here to view recent job postings). In total, between Canada Summer Jobs and the Youth in Policing Initiative, 10 local positions have been created (including one volunteer role).
“We’re not only working with exceptional Canadian technology companies locally, regionally and nationally, but we’re also seriously engaging youth in the future of policing,” said Accelerator lead, Joe Miller (Nventure). “This is a very interesting space. Young people are coming up with solutions, influencing policies and perspectives, actually developing technologies and shaping new approaches to community innovation.”
Three additional pilot projects are in development in assessment and operational platform technologies and multiple partnerships are emerging with innovation programs associated with other Canadian police services.
