GE Security to Showcase Advanced Security Technologies at International Law Enforcement Conference

Business Wire, Oct 16, 2006

"GE Security is at the forefront of making law enforcement more efficient and effective." A. Louis Parker, GE Security President and CEO

BRADENTON, Fla. -- GE Security Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), today announced a variety of new products available for use by law enforcement professionals. GE Security will be showcasing these products at the 2006 IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) 113th Annual Conference being held October 14-18, at the Boston Convention & Exposition Center. Products on display include systems that detect narcotics and explosives, such as the EntryScan4, Itemiser3, StreetLab and VaporTracer, as well as GE Security's SymSecure video surveillance system.

"We're launching and developing new solutions tailored to the law enforcement community based on our industry-leading breadth of technologies," said A. Louis Parker, president & CEO of GE Security. "Many of these products, originally designed for government agencies and the military, are now being used daily by law enforcement organizations around the world."

For instance, GE's desktop Itemiser delivers narcotics and explosives detection in seconds using advanced trace technology. By identifying specific molecules of contraband substances, trace technology can quickly and unobtrusively detect narcotics and explosives where other methods, particularly those that rely on visual detection, may fail. Trace technology relies on the natural tendency of organic materials, including explosives and narcotics, to release microscopic particles that are easily transferred to people and things with which they come in contact. Such "contaminated" objects can then easily be wiped with special Teflon-coated fiberglass strips called "sample traps," which are then inserted into the GE Itemiser for analysis.

These trace detectors analyze samples in seconds to identify the specific target substances. Sgt. Howard Chandler, Force Drugs Liaison Sergeant, Partnerships and Crime Reduction of the Kent Police in the United Kingdom, reports that they use ten trace machines throughout the county in participating pubs to check for illicit drug activity. They often take a number of Itemisers to one town, deploy and profile all the pubs, then go to a different town, he said.

"We have introduced a system where, by swabbing surfaces, we identify regular signs of drugs use at places where people socialise, such as pubs and clubs. Then, working with the management, we use trace machines to test all customers - the management makes it a condition of entry that they agree to this. With the use of drugs dogs, it sends a very powerful message that drugs will not be tolerated in or near these places," said Sgt. Chandler.

In another example, GE Security's EntryScan portals provide highly effective, reliable and cost-effective trace particle detection of difficult-to-find substances while letting people pass through the screening process quickly and easily with little or no assistance. Formally called "trace-detection portals," these units are typically found in airports and power plants. However, Polk County, Florida is the first courthouse to deploy GE's EntryScans. The EntryScans, commonly known as "puffers," blow short bursts of air on the person inside to detect the presence of either explosives or narcotics.

GE Security is also developing and will provide demonstrations of the next-generation handheld explosives and narcotics portable detector, MobileTrace, that offers simultaneous dual-mode capability. MobileTrace features an easy-to-use, large, color touch-screen display, a new four-hour battery with fast charger, uninterrupted back-up battery swapping, and easy access to components for enhanced maintainability.

In addition to trace detection technologies, law enforcement officials also use GE's access control software and video surveillance products to help reduce and deter crime. In Los Angeles' formerly notorious downtown MacArthur Park, the Los Angeles Police Department installed a GE Security surveillance system that is linked via the Internet to the LAPD's Rampart Station, which oversees the park and surrounding areas. LAPD officers monitor the system from a small control room in the station. According to Sergeant Ed Gomez of the LAPD's Rampart division, crime in the area around MacArthur Park has dropped dramatically since the system was installed.

About GE's Security Business

GE Security Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), is a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, with operations in more than 35 countries and $2 billion in annual sales. GE Security offers one of the industry's broadest product portfolios, covering explosives and narcotics detection, intrusion and access control, video surveillance, key management, and fire detection. GE Security's products are used to protect people and property across a wide range of industries, including aviation, law enforcement, banking, education, healthcare, mass transit, and retail.