NCJ Number
87957
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1983) Pages: 18-20,22-23,25-29
Date Published
1983
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Four articles describe innovative communications systems being used in law enforcement agencies: the portable radio and microwave-based communications system used by the Salt Lake City Police Department, the telephone system used by the New Orleans Harbor Police, the videotape system used for decentralized training in the Pima County (Arizona) Sheriff's Department, and the computerized communication system used by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Abstract
The microwave system should pay for itself in a relatively short time by avoiding the rising costs of leased telephone land lines. Other advantages are its avoidance of quality degradation in any part of the network, the ability to handle any radio traffic needed, and reliability during failure of an electrical power system. The New Orleans system has many performance features which have eliminated the problems of the previous system. Features include a blinking light to indicate that a caller has been placed on hold, the capability of conducting conference calls from any station, a hands-free intercom, speed dialing, and battery support in the event of a power failure. The Pima County Sheriff's Department uses the video system for the production and distribution of videotapes for training, management communications, public relations, and police tactical surveillance and evidence collection assignments. The videotapes give offficers training at their work locations, which are scattered throughout the county's area of 9,000 square miles, and can save almost two-thirds of the costs for an hour of centralized training. Using the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System, State troopers can access information at both the State and national levels while on patrol. In addition to its law enforcement and criminal justice functions, the Missouri unit is used by various law enforcement divisions for payroll, general ledger, fleet inventory, and other administrative purposes. Photographs are included.