Investigative, Evidence Collection, and Voice Communications Technology Improvements

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The disparate jurisdictions of the city of Des Moines and Polk County have agreed to use FY 2008 Justice Assistance Grant funds to upgrade the current voice communications system used for public emergency preparedness.

The Des Moines Police Department is located in downtown Des Moines and houses the primary police and fire emergency communications center for the area. The alternate emergency dispatch site is the Des Moines Fire Station #1 which is also located in downtown Des Moines along the Mississippi River. The close proximity of the police department and fire station to the river dictates the need for an additional emergency communications center. Both jurisdictions have agreed to purchase four computer aided dispatch workstations and distribute them equally between the alternate dispatch sites of Fire Station #1 and the Polk County Sheriff's Communications Center. These additional workstations will provide for the overflow in emergency situations and allow a seamless transition between agencies should the need arise. In addition, the police department will purchase upgraded digital darkroom computers with software and hardware to import and resize fingerprint photos.

NCA/NCF