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Hartford Police Department Interview
May 26, 2000
Sgt. Rick Tardif
System
Structure
How many users of the system? Police? Fire?
Other services?
The radio system has about 1700 users citywide. Since the system is
trunked, this includes police, fire, public works, etc.
Problems with too many users wanting access at a given
time?
There are seldom too many users wanting access. Occasionally, this problem
occurs in the daytime. The trunked system has enough channels (sixteen) that it is
generally not a problem.
Problems with frequency allocations?
There are no problems with frequency allocations.
How many tower locations?
The city has only a single site. There is a backup, however. The
city is only sixteen square miles and is generally flat.
Do the tower locations provide adequate coverage of the
city?
Tower locations provide adequate coverage.
System
Performance
Problems with interference?
Tardif reports no interference.
Problems with missed radio calls/cutoffs?
Systemwide, there are no missed calls.
Problems in major emergency/disaster with overuse?
Four of the channels in the trunked system are used for "telephone
interconnect." This allows users of the system to make phone calls
over the radio system. During an emergency, these channels are "shut
back," and become regular radio channels. This mitigates problems
with overuse.
Problems with system failing entirely?
The system did fail entirely six years ago. A UPS (Uninterrupted Power
Supply) part went bad. This caused a power failure. In ten years of
having the trunked system, the system has had only one down time.
Problems with related support systems, such as computers
and 911 services?
The 911 system is standalone from the radio system. The fire dispatch
system is tied to the radio system, however.
Options in case of system failure?
Tardif pointed out that with Motorola trunked systems (Hartford has an EDACS
system), if the computer goes down, the system goes down. With Hartford's
system, if the computer goes down, the system will keep trunking. After
that, there is a backup system in place. Along with that backup are a set
of regional frequencies available.
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 are happy with the system.
Is interoperability a problem, especially in major
incidents?
Internal interoperability is smooth, because all city agencies are on the
trunked system. Communicating with neighboring communities on the regional
tactical frequencies is not as smooth since they must be patched through to the
trunked system.
System Cost
How much did the current system cost?
Tardif says the current system cost $5 million.
How much are maintenance costs per year?
The radio system is self-maintained. (The city solicited a bid once for a
maintenance contract. This bid was $500,000.) Current maintenance
costs per year are about $110,000-120,000 each for the radio technicians, and
$150,000 for parts. Tardif pointed out that because the police department
is charged with maintaining the trunked system (which all city departments use),
all departments benefit when a decision is made by the police to upgrade the
trunked system. Thus, a "bubble budget" is in place.
Would upgrading to a digital system decrease maintenance costs?
Tardif does not believe that upgrading to a digital system would decrease
maintenance costs. The base stations would have to be replaced to go
digital.
Adequate funding for maintenance?
Tardif said that the department never receives enough funding. Officials
are always looking to make cuts in the budget. That budget must include
money to buy replacements for the twenty or so radios that get
"totaled" every year.
System Upgrades
What are planned upgrades to radio system?
There have been no big upgrades recently. The backup radio site is
currently at eight channels, which is half of the primary radio system.
There is a bid now to upgrade that site to sixteen channels, like the primary
system.
What are planned upgrades in support systems (e.g. CAD,
MDTs, Enhanced 911, etc.)?
The city replaced all 911 systems when the state went to ISDN technology.
The computers are separate from the radio system, and are an "ongoing
thing."
How would a digital system help/hurt the city?
A digital system would help the city, because the digital system would have
reception advantages over the terrain of the city.
Are upgrades sometimes foregone because of inadequate
funding?
Upgrades are sometimes foregone because of inadequate funding. The city
gives "grant funding" for technology.
Are upgrades sometimes foregone because of conflicts with
local government?
There are "minor disagreements" with the city over upgrades.
System Politics
Conflicts with communications managers and radio manufacturers (Motorola, GE,
etc.)?
Ericsson, the manufacturer of the system, has caused some minor problems, such
as delays and engineering problems. Tardif notes, however, that they have
been "terrific in the long run." They completed a Year 2000
upgrade for $350,000.
Has the system been in the news much recently?
The system has not been in the news.
How satisfied is the public with the system?
The public does not know too much about the system.
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