Boston Police Department Interview
May 22, 2000
Deputy Superintendent William H. Bradley

System Structure

How many users of the system?  Police?  Fire?  Other services?
Bradley estimated that there are 3000 users of the police radio system.  He did not have information on the number of users of the fire radio system or other radio systems.

Problems with too many users wanting access at a given time?
The system has some problems with overaccess.  During major events, all officers must go through a communications dispatcher.  In this situation, officers are not permitted to call each other on the radio directly.

Problems with frequency allocations?
There are some FCC (Federal Communications Commission) problems with obtaining frequencies; these seemed to be minor.

How many tower locations?
Bradley estimated five or six.

Do the tower locations provide adequate coverage of the city?
Bradley reported no dead spots in the city.

System Performance

Problems with interference?
There are few problems with interference.

Problems with missed radio calls/cutoffs?
As was mentioned above, Bradley reported no dead spots in the city, often a cause of missed radio calls or cutoffs.

Problems in major emergency/disaster with overuse?
Any problems in this situation are mitigated by requiring users of the radio system to go through a dispatcher in a major event.

Problems with system failing entirely?
Bradley reports no problems with major breakdowns of the system.

Problems with related support systems, such as computers and 911 services?
He reports no problems with the MDTs (Mobile Data Terminals) and CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) system.  The city is heavily weighted toward Motorola, with two models of Motorola MDTs in place.  These MDTs are being replaced.

Options in case of system failure?
A backup system was put in place concurrent with a Year 2000 system.  In the event of radio failure (and failure of all backup radio systems), the police would utilize cellular phones and hotlines to the individual precincts.  The police use the media as a communications tool.  There are also callboxes in the city that the public may use to contact the police.  Interestingly, the police also inform the public that they may locate police officers at their local Dunkin' Donuts shop in the event of a massive communication breakdown or disaster.

How satisfied with the system are the dispatchers?
The dispatchers are happy with the system.

How satisfied with the system are officers?
The officers are happy with the system.

How satisfied with the system are communications managers/support personnel?
Communications managers feel that the system is well-structured and works well.  Bradley reports that communications managers, however, look at the big picture.  Emerging technologies that the department may implement in the next several years are systems based on cellular phone technology and personal locator technology.  Bradley says that one of the most important questions that must be answered is whether the present radio structure supports growth.  If it does not, then a change is in order.

Is interoperability a problem, especially in major incidents?
Boston area police departments have a radio link to each other through BAPERN (Boston Area Police Emergency Radio Network).  This radio channel links cruisers from neighboring communities to each other through a dispatcher.  Bradley does not see a problem with interoperability.

System Cost

How much did the current system cost?
Bradley estimates the system cost $7-11 million.

How much are maintenance costs per year?
Bradley estimates maintenance costs are $250,000 per year.

Would upgrading to a trunked system decrease maintenance costs?
Bradley does not think making the switch to a trunked system would decrease maintenance costs.  There is already a maintenance contract in place.  Additionally, there would be training costs and initial costs of installing a trunked system.  Bradley said that money was always "on the line" for decisions.  The department must get the full benefit of the technology.  For example, there is an existing technology (Lifescan) that would allow an officer in the field to receive fingerprint information through an onboard computer.  One of the advantages of a trunked system, with its efficient use of the spectrum, is that a great deal of data could be carried by radio.  Presently, however, Bradley does not see a need for this technology for the Boston Police Department.  With any decision, the need plus the money would make the decision. 

Would upgrading to a digital system decrease maintenance costs?
Same as above.

Adequate funding for maintenance?
Bradley reports adequate funding for maintenance.

System Upgrades

What are planned upgrades to radio system?
No upgrades to the radio system will be made in the near future.

What are planned upgrades in support systems (e.g. CAD, MDTs, Enhanced 911, etc.)?
The MDTs will be replaced soon.  The CAD system is ten years old, so it may be upgraded.  The department is also thinking about obtaining a mapping system.

How would a trunked system help/hurt the city?
Bradley responded that a trunked system would give the city the full benefit of the spectrum.  He stated, however, that the need does not justify the change at this time.  The need for any system will dictate a change.

Are upgrades sometimes foregone because of inadequate funding?
Bradley spoke about Law 30B, which states that the lowest bidder always receives a city contract.  He said that this approach can be detrimental because the city could be "getting the worst of the pack."

Are upgrades sometimes foregone because of conflicts with local government?
Bradley said that sometimes because of the slowness of the bureaucracy, the technology is obsolete by the time it is finally received.

System Politics

Conflicts with communications managers and radio manufacturers (Motorola, GE, etc.)?
Bradley spoke about problems the city experienced with Motorola during the 1998 move to the new communications center.  The problem occurred with the Centracom Gold Elite (radio console in computer) system, which handled "crosspatching" between police districts.  The Motorola software could not handle crosspatching.  The city and Motorola decided to go down a few stages in technology.  Motorola was then accommodating.  Bradley reports no further problems with Motorola.

Has the system been in the news much recently?
Bradley says that the system has not been in the news much recently.

How satisfied is the public with the system?
The public is satisfied with the system, but the media is not.  According to Bradley, this is because the media cannot hear certain radio calls because they are dispatched over the MDT system.  The MDTs use the MDC4800 protocol.

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