Title
Gainesville Police Department Wireless/Technology Project (NB)
Explanation
Since 2001, the City Commission has approved funding from various sources for the Gainesville Police Department to move forward with a more efficient and effective data technology system. Most recently, on January 27, 2003, the City Commission approved the contract and funding of the RMS (Records Management System) Mobile Data and Mobile Field Reporting System with OSSI. This contract will enable our Police Officers and Police Service Technicians to access extensive RMS data information through wireless laptops in their police vehicles.
Initially, due to cost considerations, the department was to purchase 200 laptops. With the recent presentation of federal forfeiture monies from the DEA Duboc case, the department now would like to purchase and install approximately 250 laptops, allowing more areas of the department (including detectives, narcotics and forensics) the same benefit of immediate field access to data used in their daily duties.
With this move to wireless technology, there are many areas of additional costs to complete the total project. Some of these include an upgrade to the laptops that were originally being considered, modem costs, circuit installation between GPD and ASO Communications Center, power supplies and batteries for the laptops, warranties, magstripe readers, crash diagram software and one of the larger costs - a program card that allows continuous ability for the department to upgrade computers for routine information via a software card, thus eliminating the need for an Information Technician to physically go to each vehicle to perform that upgrade.
The installation, training and administration of the police department's wireless project is anticipated to span the course of several years and the funding for these additional project components will be extremely beneficial to the total outcome of the project.
The Public Safety Committee, on May 15, 2003, approved this item to be forwarded to the full City Commission.
Fiscal Note
Funding for this $852,000 expenditure is available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund, as allowable under Federal 21 U.S. C. ยง 881, found in the U.S. Department of Justice, "A Guide to Equitable Sharing of Federally Forfeited Property for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies". Technological enhancements are one of the areas which are most appropriate under this Act. The balance in the account is $4,881,761.95. Balance is adjusted to account for pending items.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the Gainesville Police Department to appropriate and expend an amount not to exceed $852,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund for the purchase of wireless/technology related projects as detailed in the explanation.