Police Technology Enhancement Project

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 city of Portsmouth will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award for technology and equipment improvements to assist the Portsmouth Police Department (PPD) in responding to incidents within the city. The PPD will purchase an Automatic Vehicle Locater (AVL) System. The JAG funds will allow the PPD to fund the set-up and partial deployment of the system. An AVL is a device that utilizes Global Positioning System (GPS) to enable a business or agency to remotely track the location of its vehicle fleet by using the Internet. The device combines GPS technology, cellular communications, street-level mapping, and an intuitive user interface to improve fleet management and customer service. The AVL system increases officers' safety since dispatchers know where the vehicles are located at all times, and allows them to make better decisions that result in faster response times and more efficient fleet operations. In addition, an officer who is uncertain of his exact location or who is trying to find an unfamiliar address can locate his position or the address on a mobile data computer. The PPD will also purchase an Overtime Management System that will allow department personnel to electronically track work hours, with electronic approval at the end of each work period by supervisor, as well as tracking of overtime. The software will minimize payroll errors by recording employee hours and calculating hourly rates with complete accuracy. Also, the system will generate real-time analysis reports, and produce reports to generate average hourly rates paid per assignment and shift.

NCA/NCF