Commercial Wireless Provides Savings, Speedy Access for LAPD

• NCJ Number: 224534
• Date Published: October 2008
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-MU-CX-K077
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)

Annotation

This article describes how the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has benefited through partnership with a commercial network carrier to improve data speed and resource access.

Abstract

The LAPD utilizes the commercial carrier Sprint for wireless data communications in its field units. The LAPD has been using Sprint since 2007 to provide data access services to 1,600 patrol cars with positive results. A significant improvement has been made in the amount of data that can be sent to the field. Photos and fingerprint images are able to be sent back and forth. The system can also be used for automated report writing, mapping, and access to the department intranet. Officers will soon have limited access to Internet sites. The system is also used for access to the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), Department of Motor Vehicles information, warrant checks, and connection with the FBI's National Crime Information Center. The system also provides computer-aided dispatch, access to the LAPD's internal records systems, and access to COPLINK for information sharing and analysis. The LAPD built its old network at a cost of $20 million, and continues to maintain it. With Sprint, the LAPD pays about $1 million a year to have the commercial carrier available.