[February 19, 2006]

GPS tracks city officers: System provides location speed chase can be followed without radio

(Charleston Gazette, The (WV) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Feb. 19--It's 10 o'clock. Do you know where your backup officers are?

Some Charleston police officers can now spot where other department vehicles are during emergencies and more mundane police work thanks to Automatic Vehicle Location devices being installed in many of the department's vehicles.

The devices use global-positioning technology to update the location of officers' vehicles every five seconds. They also allow administrators and Metro 911 dispatchers to track officers' locations and speed from headquarters or the dispatching center.

"It's not to be Big Brother," said Lt. Lex Williamson of the Information Services Division, adding that it's pretty dull to watch little gray boxes blip across an electronic map of Charleston. "It's more for officer safety."

The AVLs integrate with the computers in officers' vehicles, known as Mobile Data Terminals. Officers can get directions to a call or locate an officer who needs help.

The technology will be especially helpful for officers when a chase starts, Williamson said. Instead of officers having to radio every time they make a turn, other officers can see the progression of the chase on their map and even get instant turn-by-turn directions to follow the lead police vehicle.

Forthcoming versions of the technology will be able to speak directions.

Metro 911's dispatchers can now spot Charleston officers on a large TV screen at the Ned Chilton 911 Center that displays a map of the city, said Sgt. Don Peal of the Information Services Division. That will be helpful for medics who need to know when law enforcement will arrive at a dangerous scene.

Other departments across the country using AVL technology have reported quicker response times, lower vehicle maintenance costs, better fuel efficiency and fewer wrecks, Williamson said.

The system, which cost about $46,000, was paid for through a 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.

So far, the AVL modems and hockey-puck-sized, black antennas have been installed in 30 patrol cars, two K-9 units and a traffic division car.

"If an officer needs help, this will map a route right to 'em," said Lt. Steve Neddo, president of Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 74. "It appears to be a nice system. So far, no complaints from the officers."

Chief Brent Webster said he would eventually like every vehicle in the department to have an AVL.

The devices were ordered last year, but weren't operational in October when a Charleston police patrolman wrecked into a woman's truck in Kanawha City, killing her. Wreck reconstructions have estimated his speed between 60 mph and 79 mph.

"There's no question for future incidents this could come in handy," Webster said. "We had this thing ordered then, but we're not sure if it would've helped us or hurt us."

For now, the AVL information is available only to officers in the field and administrators, Williamson said.

If the department's Professional Standards Division gets a complaint about an officer's driving, they will be able to review the AVL data to see whether the officer was in the right, Williamson said.

The previous administration at the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department bought a few of the devices, but the department does not have the software to track the vehicles, Sheriff Mike Rutherford said.

To contact staff writer Dave Gustafson, use e-mail or call 348-5113.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

Discussions: