A prototype for a reconfigured dashboard within a normal police cruiser, developed over the last three years by RISD graduate Jr Neville Songwe, was unveiled at the Public Safety Complex by Mayor David N. Cicilline and Police Chief Dean M. Esserman.

The "Brijo" dashboard was designed by Songwe, a native of Cameroon, Africa with funding from family and venture capitalists.

In a dome atop the dashboard is an improved camera, which shoots a photo of the license plate of a suspect vehicle and then automatically increases its range of view so that it records an officer’s interaction with civilians when he or she gets out.

In the middle of the dash is a touch-screen computer — Providence cruisers right now do not have touch screens — with a keyboard that swings out from underneath and swivels so that someone in the driver’s or passenger’s seat has ready access.

The steering wheel provides easy built-in access to many of the controls: The driver can work the computer, emergency lights, camera, radio and other functions without reaching for anything, allowing more attention to driving and possible signs of trouble.

In a few days, officers will take the cruiser out on patrol and then Esserman and Songwe will look at ways to take production to a larger, more cost-effective scale.

“I hope Detroit hears,” Esserman declared, “that one day we hope that what you will see today will be known as the Providence model, a new type of police car built around officers, for officers, with their safety and work in mind.”