"CAD" Law Enforcement Computer Aided Dispatch (911)

[humblegeo]

When listening to law enforcement dispatch p25 transmissions you get some minor detail on each call but not that much. It's still interesting to listen to. Most of the detail from these dispatch 911 transmissions is probably transmitted on a CAD system from what I understand. A Law Enforcement Computer Aided Dispatch system and I guess to a Mobile Data Terminal that each Police Officer has in his or her vehicle and I'm sure it's probably on a wifi secure network. They may also have an Integrated Mapping System. What do you guys know about these systems. Just trying to educate myself and not suggesting a cyber attack or hacking. I don't guess the data is transmitted thru radio waves?

 

[NebraskaCoder]

I know locally, they connect the laptops using a cellular network card, then CAD connects over standard TCP/IP Communications.

 

[nd5y]

A Law Enforcement Computer Aided Dispatch system and I guess to a Mobile Data Terminal that each Police Officer has in his or her vehicle and I'm sure it's probably on a wifi secure network. They may also have an Integrated Mapping System. What do you guys know about these systems. Just trying to educate myself and not suggesting a cyber attack or hacking. I don't guess the data is transmitted thru radio waves?

Basically correct. Most places now use cellular data. A few places might have some other type of citywide data netowrk on wifi, the 4.9 GHz public safety band or something else. It used to be common in some areas to use regular PLMR frequencies but the data rate is limited and there is no roaming coverage out of range of the base stations.

 

[ecps92]

Basically correct. Most places now use cellular data. A few places might have some other type of citywide data netowrk on wifi, the 4.9 GHz public safety band or something else. It used to be common in some areas to use regular PLMR frequencies but the data rate is limited and there is no roaming coverage out of range of the base stations.

and a few still are on their own Part 90 frequencies for connectivity (Packet Cluster)

 

[mmckenna]

The amount of data they push back and forth now has sort of pushed them away from the old LMR channel systems to LTE. Our county shut down the old 800MHz data system many years ago and now just run on cellular.

There's a lot they can do with it, sending photos, reports, dispatch, run plates/licenses.
Frequently I'll hear a dispatch and the officer will just reply with "I'll get it off the screen".

 

[MCWKen]

Here in Iowa, there are a lot of ways those terminals can work. Fire/EMS now uses terminals connected via FirstNet which is a priority cell service on AT&T.

The City and County here have MDT's, but I am unsure if they connect via the State Radio system (P25 Phase II), or their existing service before joining State Radio. The terminals now have TRaCS, and MACH. Both the Console(s) and MDTs can access those applications.

MACH is not only Mobile Command and Control, but it allows everyone to see real-time, who is where, no matter the agency. Also, hazards such as disabled vehicles can be mapped on MACH. It has mapping, location search, and imaging. In addition to emailing and messaging for dispatch.

TRaCS is basically software that allows to people in the field to produce eCitations, eCrashes, arrests, incident reports, tow sheets, and even deer tags. I believe TRaCS is an Iowa specific software. Both people in the field, and dispatchers can originate or close incidents on that system.

My experience is, no matter an agency's procedures and practices, MACH has become a universal tool to provide additional situation awareness.

 

[Linn]

When listening to law enforcement dispatch p25 transmissions you get some minor detail on each call but not that much. It's still interesting to listen to. Most of the detail from these dispatch 911 transmissions is probably transmitted on a CAD system from what I understand. A Law Enforcement Computer Aided Dispatch system and I guess to a Mobile Data Terminal that each Police Officer has in his or her vehicle and I'm sure it's probably on a wifi secure network. They may also have an Integrated Mapping System. What do you guys know about these systems. Just trying to educate myself and not suggesting a cyber attack or hacking. I don't guess the data is transmitted thru radio waves?

I've spent the last two years helping....to be totally honest my people have done the work....on a project to select a CAD/RMS system to be used by fire and LE in my county. For background we are a rapidly growing suburban county that borders one of the most populated counties in the nation and in a top 5 metro area as far as population. Anyway, we are currently negotiating a contract with the vendor we chose.

Not only can the information go to the computer in the car, some products have phone apps. Some vendors are moving towards cloud based solutions where the CAD/RMS system can be accessed on any device that has an internet connection and browser with no need to install software on a device.

Standard features do include mapping. Officers can be assigned calls with no radio traffic if an agency operates that way. In my area at least the basic details tend to be given over the air. If it is a high priority call all of the information is given over the air. Officers can put themselves in route, on scene and clear using buttons in the software. They can also add notes to the call. Messages can be sent between users and dispatchers. The days of saying it's a busy day or not based on radio traffic are long gone.

Basic CAD features from the major vendors include:
Messaging
Mapping
Unit recommendations (based on GPS mapping)
Customizable user interface I.E. I can make my screens look one way and someone else can set their screens up another way.
Field units being able to update their status by pressing a button.
Field units being able to enter comments into call notes.
And many more.

Some offer the ability to automatically show an officer on scene based on the GPS mapping.

Here are links that talk about some of the major vendors products:

Industry-Leading Platform for Public Safety
Computer Aided Dispatch Software for Fire, Police and EMS Dispatch Centers
Public Safety & Justice
Spillman Flex (R) CAD - Motorola Solutions
PremierOne Computer-Aided Dispatch Software - Motorola Solutions
Enterprise CAD Software | Tyler Technologies

The tech in public safety vehicles is crazy. We are about to deploy a new in car and body worn camera solution. The cameras are cell phones. They will connect to a WiFi hub in our cars that have a cellular connection and will allow supervisors to monitor cameras during critical events. The built in GPS can be set up to activate the camera when an officer arrives on scene. The GPS mapping allows an officer to retrace their steps after a foot chase to look for evidence that may have been tossed.

When I started in LE I had a "dumb" MDT and was just happy when it worked, gave DL/warrant returns and basic call notes. I couldn't talk to the neighboring agenies that my beat touched. Now I can see CAD information for neighboring agencies and maybe more importantly I can talk directly, using interop talkgroups, to 40,000 of my closest friends. Things have certainly changed for the better.

 

[boatbod]

The modern needs for data transmission to support MDTs, mobile CAD and mapping far exceed the bandwidth capabilities of P25. Cellular data is very established and easy to integrate.

 

[chrismol1]

yea the LTE bodycams with GPS are up there with one of the IMO biggest advancements since GPS mapping with the cars a decade or so ago. Few nights ago officer in foot pursuit in dark wooded area, dispatch knew exactly where he was located to send responding units and assist exiting the woods

 

[maus92]

yea the LTE bodycams with GPS are up there with one of the IMO biggest advancements since GPS mapping with the cars a decade or so ago. Few nights ago officer in foot pursuit in dark wooded area, dispatch knew exactly where he was located to send responding units and assist exiting the woods

Except when the LTE bodycam uplink interferes with a 700 MHz radio system, ahem.

 

[chief21]

Basic CAD features from the major vendors include:
Messaging
Mapping
Unit recommendations (based on GPS mapping)
Customizable user interface I.E. I can make my screens look one way and someone else can set their screens up another way.
Field units being able to update their status by pressing a button.
Field units being able to enter comments into call notes.
And many more.

Don't forget automatic mobile license plate readers!

Our local Sheriff's Office uses CAD; a complete dispatch, response, report and follow-up can be handled entirely on CAD. The radio channels are primarily reserved for emergency and officer safety traffic. Very quiet!

 

[Linn]

Don't forget automatic mobile license plate readers!

Our local Sheriff's Office uses CAD; a complete dispatch, response, report and follow-up can be handled entirely on CAD. The radio channels are primarily reserved for emergency and officer safety traffic. Very quiet!

You're right about ALPR's. I didn't mention them because they aren't part of our current or new CAD system. We have them now, but our new in car camera system will also have ALPR. If you really want to get into ALPR check out Flock. Their technology is amazing. I've witnessed an agency track a kidnapping suspect in real time once they had a license plate. The kidnapping ended up not being a kidnapping but the technology allowed an adjoining jurisdiction to locate the suspect vehicle and then determine there wasn't a kidnapping.

My agency still relies a lot on voice, but it's because it's the way we have always done it. At my first agency, a couple of decades ago, I could work a very productive shift and only use the radio a handful of times when calling out on traffic or giving mileage for prisoner transports.