City Council Approves New Technology Upgrades for Police Department

To ensure the NC Police Department has reliable and secure mobile computing capabilities for patrol operations and public safety services, the City Council approved the purchase of new Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) equipment. This hardware upgrade is imperative to ensure optimal operational efficiencies and communication,

The PD currently has an approved FY2027 IT Hardware & Software budget allocation of $120,000 designated for the replacement of Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) equipment utilized within police squad vehicles, including Getac rugged computers, docking stations, and keyboards.

The current MDT fleet has reached end-of-life status, is no longer under manufacturer warranty, and is experiencing increasing hardware reliability and performance issues. Existing devices are operating with outdated hardware specifications, including 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, which are insufficient to support modern public safety applications and increasing operational technology demands.

The replacement initiative will:

  • Improve reliability and reduce hardware-related downtime for patrol operations
  • Ensure compatibility with current and future law enforcement software platforms
  • Improve officer efficiency and field connectivity
  • Reduce operational risk associated with unsupported hardware
  • Provide an additional spare MDT unit to improv
  • Provide an additional spare MDT unit to improve operational continuity during equipment failures or repairs
  • Extend the lifecycle and supportability of the department’s mobile computing environment

The proposed solution also includes cost-saving measures by utilizing internal City IT staff for docking station installation activities rather than outsourcing installation services to a third-party vendor.

This project aligns with the City’s broader technology modernization and public safety operational support objectives while leveraging the existing FY2027 approved budget allocation of $120,000 for MDT replacement equipment.

The City Council also approved a new fingerprinting system. The iTouch Biometrics platform is widely utilized across multiple Lake County police departments and is also currently utilized by LakeComm 911 dispatch, providing familiarity and integration advantages.