In an effort to make your police cruisers a virtual office for your officers, many considerations must be addressed. Laptops or mobile data computers (MDC) are commonplace in today's patrol vehicles. Even though the mobile computer technology is not all that new, the advancements in wireless have changed the way officers operate.

Software and wireless solutions have allowed officers access to the information highway (Internet) and to countless law enforcement databases. The MDC's have simplified many aspects of the way we do police work; more importantly, wireless connectivity is the true force multiplier in the law enforcement profession.

This technology has allowed officers to be more effective with fewer personnel. So, what are the solutions available and how do they best serve us in the field?

802.11 (a, b, g, e, etc) standard wireless protocols comprise most widely installed local area networks (WLAN). Although these protocols are not truly "mobile," they do provide functionality through the use of "hot spots," allowing officers temporary or limited connectivity to city/county networks.

The high speed characteristics of this connectivity, even though it may be sporadic, works very effectively when implemented with the use of other wireless components.

With the improvement in wireless speeds and service areas, the cellular link has become an excellent option for working in conjunction

with 802.11. Sprint and Verizon both currently offer WCDMA, EVDO, RevA service in many of their urban areas and they are expanding these services. RevA currently provides uplink speeds that peak over 1 Mb/s and downlink speeds that can exceed 3 Mb/s.

There are no single wireless protocols that allow seamless, uninterrupted connectivity all the time; however, with a combination of systems it is very effective most of the time.

It is currently unclear what exactly the next step is for these two companies. Sprint has announced the rollout of RevB and is also building a Wi-MAX network across the nation. Verizon has declared that it is moving to a new technology called LTE. Also recently, Verizon has purchased about $10B worth of new spectrum in the old 700 MHz television bands. AT&T is now rolling out HSPA and they, too, recently bought about $7B worth of the television spectrum.

Most experts are telling us that we "haven’t seen anything yet." These new technologies promise to deliver upwards of 50 Mb/s to the mobile unit. Opportunities to monitor live video from both fixed and mobile cameras will create a huge change in the operations activities for the patrol officer.

It is apparent the current availability of wireless solutions can provide significant mobile capabilities. However, at the rate wireless technology is changing, we can all expect considerable advancements in the near future.

Source: T.J. Brooks, Police Fleet Manager

www.SESysInc.com

http://www.taser.com