[Scan-DC] Tagging device planned for high-speed pursuits

[Alan Henney]

ABC Premium News (Australia)

February 24, 2010 Wednesday 10:37 AM AEST 

Tagging device planned for high-speed pursuits

LENGTH: 221 words

South Australian authorities are to trial a laser-sighted device that shoots an adhesive tag onto the back of any car under police pursuit. 

The system uses GPS tracking technology and Premier Mike Rann says it will make high-speed pursuits safer by letting police follow at a greater distance.

"It's been highlighted in America as one of the great breakthroughs in technology," he said.

"Star Chase ... is a tracking projectile, the launcher assembly which is on a police patrol car involves twin cannons that fire laser-sighted missiles to a car that police are chasing."

As the SA election campaign continues, Labor has promised 300 more police and almost $8 million for new crime-fighting technology, such as portable fingerprint scanners.

Mr Rann says extra police would cost the state $100 million over four years.

"Should we be elected, by the end of the next term the police force will be 1,000 police stronger than it was under the Liberals," he said.

Explaining the mobile fingerprint reader, the Premier said police could get a result back within about one minute if someone they fingerprinted was on a police database.

Police Association President Mark Carroll is happy with the Labor commitment on police numbers.

"The police occupation is labour-intensive and so any increases in staff is always going to be welcome," he said.