In 1994 Police Officer Ed Osborne of Columbus, GA was shot and killed in his cruiser by a teen-age subject he was transporting after detaining him for a curfew violation. It is unknown where the subject had concealed the weapon that he used to slay Officer Osborne. After a similar slaying occurred in Houston, TX, 92% of the city's police officers said they would welcome the use of metal detectors and 80% said they believed that safety would be enhanced.

Pointing out that the "senseless slaying could have been prevented by a metal detector," Bill Watson, publisher of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer recognized that citizens of his community were eager to provide greater support and protection for local law enforcement officers. Muscogee County Sheriff Gene Hodge, Chief Jim Wetherington, Businessman Gene Miller and Mayor elect Bobby Peters organized Gene Miller and Mayor elect Bobby Peters organized the "Save a Life" campaign to raise funds for the purchase of 450 Super Scanner metal detectors -- enough to enable every Muscogee County law enforcement officer to effectively search any suspect. Mayor Peters said the campaign "buys equipment that will maybe save the life of an officer, but it will also make the officers feel better about their job and that they are appreciated for the job that they do".

Super Scanners permit individuals to be searched thoroughly and quickly, without the need for the officer's hands to touch any part of a suspects clothing or body. They are a safe an effective method of determining the presence of metal on a suspect. When used in conjunction with the agency's search and seizure policy, metal detectors can reduce the occurrence of injuries and deaths caused by deadly concealed metallic object such as guns, knives razor-blades and hypodermic needles. Using a Super Scanner when searching suspects, combined with a diligent and thorough effort to identify all detected metallic objects, can help save the lives of officers in the future.

STOP PRESS!

New South Wales Police Service in Australia, one of the largest Police Forces in the world, has just implemented a plan to put Super Scanners into all its patrol vehicles.   The first 800 units are being delivered in April 1999 with more to come.   Super Scanner was selected in open competition between all scanners on the market for functionality, irrespective of price.   The fact that it is also the best value scanner available is a bonus.