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Communication Made Easy

NCJ Number
175283
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 25 Issue: 7 Dated: July 1998 Pages: 34-36
Author(s)
R L Paynter
Date Published
1998
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Patrol car laptop computers and wireless communication software improve law enforcement communication, lessen the strain on dispatch, and improve operations by putting communication ability at an officer's fingertips.
Abstract
The Kettering Police Department (Ohio), which employs 82 sworn officers and 26 civilians, implemented a wireless communication system that will put laptops in every patrol car to increase officer efficiency, lessen the strain on dispatch, and improve operations. Eight communities, including Kettering, operate off the same system and work together to provide law enforcement services to their communities. Each city's system operates independently of the other cities, but the departments can communicate with one another when necessary. This is just one of the many solutions police departments have found using Cerulean's core product PacketCluster Patrol, which is a wireless communication product used by law enforcement for rapid, real- time communication. PacketCluster serves as the heart of many applications designed for law enforcement. AVL/Mapping technology transmits patrol units' identification numbers, user names, statuses, latitudes, and longitudes from the units and displays them as icons on digital maps. Imaging software enables officers to download key criminal and motor vehicle information from local, State, and national databases and retrieve color mug shots.