Here is the deal.
The Captain MDT system the many/most crusiers in the state have the MDT capability for tracking the units. Depending on the department, this information may or may not be available to the dispatcher for the AVL information. In some departments only supervisors can see the locations.
Last release I played with, there was no routing feature available.
Some departments have their CAD systems tied into the MDT system, and if their CAD software has it, then they may be able to pull up a map as well.
In the various systems I have personally used and seen, all just support AVL and call location. Getting there is your problem. The couple of systems I know of that have routing were seperate GPS style software programs (ie Garmin MobilePC) running off of the GPS NMEA data splitter to feed the CAD/MDT software and and MobilePC.
The CSP system is AVL. You can bring up any logged in car and call, but again, getting there is your problem.
GPS hardware is pretty cheap. Most public safety grade computer have the unit available as a factory option or add-on in the field. They are not "expensive" as lead to believe. The backend data/software for CAD/RMS is the highest cost, especially if you are constructing your own data network (which I don't think there are any private systems in CT). All that backend work is thru the celluar network so there is no infrasture cost to the users.
CSP went to the all-in-one GPS antenna...the name is escaping me right now but it has a GPS contained in the antenna as well as the cell modem antenna (it comes in several flavors). Prior to antenna's like this, you would need a (usually) Trimble unit, the modem, and everything else. Most Sierra Wireless modems these days also have a GPS option contained in it.
And, unless you are using older 8 SAT GPS units, the location information is highly accurate. Not sure how the comment on how they are nortorisly inaccurate they are came from.
And as I am rambling on here....
I believe OSET has a standard map for the state of Connecticut, and its maintained for the statewide 911 system. That map is updated as data is received. It also requires the post office and towns to update the MSAG and other information so that it can be incorporated/verified correctly. This is the "Free" version. If you want to pay pictometry or a GIS company to come in and do your town, go for it.
As far as routing, most people I know who cover large areas just buy a personal GPS and buy the lifetime map updates. Most of these (especially the NavTec based maps) are pretty accurate.