DATED JUNE 6, 1977, THIS REPORT WAS PREPARED IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM THE HERNDON, VIRGINIA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN EVALUATING THEIR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT AND RECOMMENDING IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR OVERALL OPERATING CAPABILITY. THE TWO MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TASK WERE TO ANALYZE THE EXCESSIVE FAILURE RATE ON PORTABLE EQUIPMENT AND TO EVALUATE THE TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE OPERATING CAPABILITY. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO AREAS: SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS AND AN ACTION PLAN. INCLUDED IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PLANS TO REPLACE A NUMBER OF THE PORTABLE RADIO UNITS, PLANS TO REPLACE VEHICLE CHARGERS, AND A PROPOSAL TO HAVE THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM CHANGED OR REPAIRED TO AVOID LOSS OF CALLS FROM THE PUBLIC....DMC