The City of Norwich will utilize the federal fund awards to advance technology and nurture a productive and prosperous community relationship.

The Norwich Police Department is requesting an Edward Byrne Grant to fund several projects which includes Safe Streets Initiative using Radar and Education, building an efficient technology based records management system, repair communication radio technology, and most importantly improve community relationships.

The City of Norwich Police Department is currently transitioning to a new CAD (Computer Automated Dispatch) and RMS (Records Management System) which will streamline the day to day operations. The new systems will greatly improve the efficiency of reporting and recording police reports. Part of the new technology is the ability to transition to an electronic signature for most if not all authored documents. The City of Norwich Police Department will use federally funded awards to purchase numerous electronic signature tablets allowing officers, supervisors, and citizens the opportunity to capture electronic signatures. This move to electronic signatures is accepted by our local and state judicial partners, who also agree that the streamline approach will save time and money at a regional level.

The City of Norwich Police Department will also utilize federally funded awards to procure, train, and utilize speed enforcement equipment. Radar speed detection devices will allow officers to conduct speed enforcement in their assigned areas within jurisdictional boundaries. The City of Norwich has seen an uptick of speed related motor vehicle crashes, some with injuries and fatalities, since the Coronavirus of 2019-2021. Officers will be trained in the use of such speed detection devices prior to their use and will comply with all state guidelines to prevent racially motivated enforcement of CT general statues.

In 2020 the City of Norwich Police Department transitioned to a trunked 700-800 mhz radio system. The agency procured and put into use a mobile and handheld portable radio from Kenwood Viking. Daily use of these subscriber units has deteriorated consumable items such as batteries, microphones, belt clips, antennas, and dust covers. The City of Norwich will utilize federally funded awards to procure new consumable items listed above to keep the vital communication that law enforcement and the community it serves in pristine working condition.

The City of Norwich Police Department has a long-lasting and credible partnership with the community it serves. The face to face communication and ability of citizens to recognize law enforcement members is critical in these well nurtured relationships. The City of Norwich Police Department will utilize federally funded awards to procure professional photographs of all sworn staff. These professional photographs will allow members of the public to put names to faces and invest in their partnerships with the Norwich Police Department.

Public safety would also benefit from this initiative as Norwich Police officers can use Radar technology to enforce motor vehicle speed offenders, collect electronic signatures on electronic devices, repair consumable radio communication parts such as antennas and batteries, and become guardians of the community by strengthening officer awareness.