SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Spokane County law enforcement now has a new tiny tool that will act as a "guardian angel" mounted to their shoulders.
Thanks to a grant from the Spirit of Blue Foundation, 135 Guardian Angel wearable lights are now being deployed to officers with Spokane Valley PD and the county sheriff's office.
"So in the amount of $19,647.38 we're happy to present this to you," announced Spirit of Blue executive director Ryan Smith, handing over a giant check to Sheriff John Nowels and Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis. "We even donated enough to cover all the dogs so they can have them on them when they're out on a track or something like that."
Whether out on a track or directing traffic, the multi-function lights can make officers more visible.
"In the United States alone in the first half of 2024, nine officers have been killed directing traffic or outside their vehicle," Chief Ellis said.
They can also keep them invisible during certain situations, due to an infrared option that can't be seen with the naked eye. It can be seen with night vision of police drones or helicopters.
"You can see that flashing light from a long ways away," Chief Ellis said.
"A drone operator or scene supervisor might be able to know exactly where their personnel are," Sheriff Nowels added.
Spokane County just rolled out the lights a couple weeks ago; Sheriff Nowels says there's no telling what ways deputies will find to use them, but they've already come up against situations where the beacons would've been useful.
He says during a foot chase before the lights were brought in, one deputy found himself in a bad spot.
"It became obvious to him as he was giving his location on the radio his backup officers were having trouble finding him," Sheriff Nowels said. "He felt if he had one of these devices, they could've found him faster."
Nowels says the lights pair well with technology they're already using, such as eight drones.