NCJ Number
168248
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 24 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 116-118,121
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Bridgewater, New Jersey, Police Department uses wireless technology, customized software, and laptop computers to provide critical information about vehicles and drivers in as few as 3 seconds before they get out of their patrol cars.
Abstract
Although mobile data terminals (MDT's) in police cruisers are nothing new and many large police departments have been using them for years, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile AirBridge Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) technology brings the advantages of MDT's within reach of a police department the size of Bridgewater. The Bridgewater Police Department determined the use of a cellular network represented the most cost-effective option. Since the cellular infrastructure already existed and was maintained by cellular service providers, the police department's radio system did not need to be expanded to make MDT's a reality. In addition, a software solution allowed MDT's to interface with the existing Computerized On-Line Police System (COPS). Each of the 15 patrol cars owned by the Bridgewater Police Department has an MDT that uses CDPD to connect police officers with New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicle records, the State Crime Information Center, the National Crime Information Center, COPS Computer Aided Dispatch, and in-house warrant systems and the records bureau database. Inquiries that used to take up to 10 minutes by radio now take fewer than 10 seconds. MDT's are helping to take a record number of drivers with revoked or suspended licenses off the road. Ways in which MDT's have benefited the Bridgewater Police Department and the community are noted. 1 photograph and 1 figure