HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.b. Mobile and Portable Radios
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Work Session: April 3, 2018
AGENDA ITEM: Mobile and Portable Radios AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Mitchell Scott, Police Chief AGENDA NO. 2.b.
ATTACHMENTS: None. APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion only.
BACKGROUND
In 2007 the Rosemount Police Department joined a collaboration with the other municipalities and
Dakota County to form a unified dispatch center. At that time the agencies went from a 400mhz to an
800mhz system. The collaboration determined the equipment should be uniform and selected Motorola as
the type of radios that would be utilized.
Currently, police agencies are faced with two issues with regards to currents radios. The first being the
equipment, both our mobiles and portable radios have out lived their useful life and are no longer
manufactured. The manufacture has stated they will no longer support the current models we utilize.
The second issue of concern is that of officer safety. In the initial stages of moving to 800mhz it was
believed it would be difficult for an outside source to monitor our radio frequencies. However, with the
growth of technology it is now possible to monitor all of our frequencies on your computer or cell phone.
This has been extremely concerning to staff as technology now allows individuals who may be barricaded
to monitor the agencies tactics during an incident, placing the officers in an undue risk. It is staff’s belief
this has already taken place at least once in Dakota County.
The majority of the agencies within Dakota County have begun to purchase radios with new encrypted
systems. The new radios allow the frequencies to be encrypted and thus prevent outside sources to
monitor our channels. It is currently illegal for anyone to attempt to send out the encrypted frequencies
over the internet or create an app allowing it to be done.
Staff would continue to utilize the Motorola radio system and will be purchasing the new encrypted radios
through AMCON Communications utilizing the 2017 MN State Contract Pricing 119587. Staff
recommends purchasing the 12 encrypted mobile radios in 2018 for the contract price of $53,000. Staff
initially planned to replace the portable radios in 2019; however, with these new safety concerns staff
recommends the purchase be moved up to 2018. AMCON has advised staff the portable radios can be
received in 2018 and paid for in 2019. The cost to replace the 33 portable radios and encrypting our
console would be $162,000. Funds for these purchases are included in the 2019 CIP.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Discussion only at this time.