Review and Evaluation of Police Communications - A Technical Assistance Report Prepared for The Sheriff's Department Grant County, West Virginia

• NCJ Number: 87024
• Author(s): G A Praul
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-TA-AX-0036
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Associated Public-Safety Communications Officers, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study involves a problem analysis and recommendations for a central dispatch system for all public safety agencies in Grant County, W.Va., with attention to citizen access, command and control, interagency communications, information system requirements, and technical requirements.

Abstract

A problem analysis indicates a considerable number of issues that must be addressed in the planning stages for the proposed new system. There has been very little written documentation that can be reviewed and commented on by the County Commission and the proposed system users. A system development task group should be created to consist of representatives of the county government, user agencies, and the utility companies involved. This group would review the problems and requirements in the areas of citizen access, command and control, interagency communications, information system requirements, and technical requirements and then develop a written plan for the new system. If possible, the system design should provide a 911 telephone service to all citizens of the county, and a complete training program should be provided for the dispatch personnel. In the area of command and control, the task adviser recommends that the management of the proposed system be vested in a single county employee who will also serve as the supervisor of the communications center. Radio frequency selection should be reviewed with the technical assistance frequency coordinator, and necessary applications must be filed to ensure that a terminal on the State information system will be provided and be available as needed. Recommendations on the specific Motorola proposal are (1) to provide microwave only from the communications center to each tower site, (2) to reduce the dispatch console to only one position but add inner system patching capability, (3) to eliminate base stations at the communications center, and (4) to use existing equipment where possible to reduce the amount of new equipment purchases. The appendixes contain a suggested outline for an operating procedures manual, designs of priority call lists, preferred words, and a suggested communications training curriculum and associated materials. A consultant list is also provided.