Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Police Department

To:             David Corliss, City Manager

Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police

                   Captain Daniel Ward

From:        Sergeant Adam Heffley

Date:                   November 13, 2012

Re:             November 20, 2012 City Commission Meeting

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the November 20, 2012 meeting:

BACKGROUND

The Lawrence Police Department’s Animal Control vehicles currently do not have Mobile Data Computers (MDC). These MDC’s would give the Animal Control Officers (ACOs) the ability to respond to calls for service in a more timely and proactive manner. The MDC units allow the ACO’s to create an efficient response plan by providing upcoming call information as well as details they cannot access without direct contact with the Douglas County Dispatch Center. This will assist all First Responder agencies on the Emergency Communications Center system by eliminating non-emergency radio traffic. This request is for the purchase of three Motorola MW810 Mobile Data Computers and the hardware to install them in three ACO vehicles. The purchase would come from Topeka FM, who is a sole-source vendor through State of Kansas (Contract #28440), for a total cost of purchase and installation of $18,650.70.

DISCUSSION This equipment has become essential for the efficient operation of any Law Enforcement agency including Animal Control Departments. The MDC provides an Animal Control Officer with real time data including reporting party information, call notes, and calls for service in queue. Users can quickly access call history information to identify ongoing issues, the identity of an owner or responsible party for an animal. Many times throughout the day the ACO will need to travel to the Humane Society in order to drop off animals prior to responding to their next call for service. Sometimes this means a twenty minute drive across town. With the addition of the MDC, the ACO will be able to see the location of holding calls, the time length they have held, and be able to plan a route that maximizes their use of time, fuel efficiency, and ultimately response to a citizen’s concerns.  

FUNDING SOURCES

The Patrol Equipment budget has been identified as the source of funds to cover the cost of purchase and installation of the mobile data computer workstations. Currently the Patrol Equipment budget contains enough funds to cover these costs.

RECOMMENDATION

Police Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to authorize the purchase and installation of three Motorola MW 810 Mobile Data Computers from Topeka FM as a sole source vendor through State of Kansas Contract #28440 for a total cost of $18,650.70.