Traffic Safety Digest  
Fall 2002
 
Project Characteristics
Outstanding, Collaborative Effort for Mobile Law Enforcement Data Flow
Program Areas
Police Traffic Services

Traffic Records

Type of Jurisdiction
Seven County Metro Area

Targeted Population
General Population

Jurisdiction Size
2,650,000

Funding
Section 402: $500,000

Contact
Marc Dronen
MN Dept. of Public Safety
444 Cedar St.,
Ste. 150
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-9490

Digest Listing


     

MINNESOTA
Mobile Data Computers


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

With the increasing demand for law enforcement’s time, an increasing number of emergency calls, and the added stress involving national security, traffic enforcement often takes a back seat to police work.  With increased radio traffic and lack of time, law enforcement may fail to call in a suspicious vehicle or make the appropriate vehicle/person checks. These vehicle checks include checking the vehicle status for stolen cars. The person checks include checking for driving history, whether the driver license is valid or what restrictions may be on it, and if the driver has any warrants outstanding. The information from these checks helps law enforcement personnel take appropriate actions with the vehicle and driver.

One tool that increases efficiency and productivity in the field is a mobile data computer (MDC) that resides in the squad car. The MDC performs the vehicle/person checks that normally occur when using the conventional radio system. MDC technology also allows multiple law enforcement agencies to communicate from car to car.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The project goal is for increased and more efficient traffic enforcement through the use of the MDC. In 2001 and 2002, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) granted funding to agencies for purchasing MDC systems. The OTS did not specify certain equipment or hardware/software requirements.

The objectives of the project are to:

  • Increase the number of vehicle queries based on the license plate showing whether or not an owner is valid or wanted or the vehicle stolen;

  • Provide a tool that will enable law enforcement to communicate from car to car within an agency as well as any other agencies utilizing the same system;

  • Quickly identify problem drivers; and

  • Increase officer safety by performing checks immediately without waiting for free time on the radio.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Radio traffic can be very busy at the peak times that officers are working traffic enforcement. As a result, vehicle and person checks may not occur because an officer cannot make the query on the radio. The MDCs allow these checks to be done without using the radio. Additionally, vehicle and person checks can occur prior to an officer stopping a vehicle.

The MDCs are also serving as a communication device between cars within an agency. This communication is critical when officers need to communicate to each other in the field and are unable to use their radios.

RESULTS

Agencies are excited to be able to use the new MDC. Training requirements are minimal for the officer. The results indicate that more vehicle and person checks are being performed in the field, which results in drivers being dealt with quickly and appropriately.  Finally, the MDCs provide additional communication capabilities, giving officers an added level of safety in the field.

 

    

 
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