Sales of law enforcement and guarding equipment in the U.S. are expected to increase 3.5 percent annually through 2020 to $1.2 billion, according to a new report from The Freedonia Group.
The Cleveland-based industry research firm said that demand growth will be driven by an increase in the number of guards and law enforcement officers. A sharp increase in the number of armed guards, which use more and higher value products, is also expected to contribute to a rising amount of equipment sales per officer.
In addition, Freedonia said that demand will be further bolstered by rising adoption rates of high-tech products, such as body cameras, license plate readers, stationary cameras, conducted electrical weapons, and even drones.
“Sales of license plate readers and stationary cameras will particularly benefit from both the growing number of agencies that utilize these products and the decision of many agencies that already utilize these products to expand their existing stock. Newer technologies, especially body cameras and drones, are expected to see strong increases in the number of units sold, though value demand will be limited to a degree by declining prices,” the research firm said in a press release.
Conversely, sales of lower-tech solutions, such as duty gear, body armor, riot gear, and vehicle equipment are expected to see limited gains through 2020 as market penetration rates are already high for these products.
As to be expected, demand for equipment also varies by region due to demographic differences, such as population size and urban-rural distribution, according to the research firm. Major urban areas, for example, represent a significant share of law enforcement officers employed in the U.S., as well as the majority of guards. As a result, the South and West - which have large populations and a larger number of urban areas - represent the largest and fastest growing regional markets.
For more information about The Freedonia Group’s Law Enforcement & Guarding Equipment report, visit www.freedoniagroup.com.
