Miami-Dade Police Department Interview
June 23, 2000
Lt. Gilbert M. Thomas
System
Structure
How many users of the system? Police? Fire?
Other services?
Thomas noted his department dispatches for the police only. The
infrastructure of the system is maintained by Dade County Information
Technology. There are 3000 police users of the system, and an
additional 2000-3000 county government users.
Problems with too many users wanting access at a given
time?
Thomas said this was a problem initially, but that the department has
"taken steps" to remedy the problem. The police use status
messaging.
Problems with frequency allocations?
The county did have "problems" obtaining the number of frequencies
that it wanted. Twenty frequencies were obtained for the police, but then
the county government wanted to get on the system because the government did not
want two independent systems. Additional frequencies are "still being
sought."
How many tower locations?
There are six repeater sites.
Do the tower locations provide adequate coverage of the
city?
The tower locations provide coverage that "meets the contract as it was
designed." Coverage is "better than 95%."
System
Performance
Problems with interference?
Problems occur "on occasion." The county experiences bleed-in
from smaller private 800 MHz licensees. Interference also occurs from a
newly-installed cellular tower. Information Technology "takes steps
to fix" the problems.
Problems with missed radio calls/cutoffs?
There have been "a couple of problems with this. Officers and
dispatchers are used to a system where they got 'air' immediately."
Problems in major emergency/disaster with overuse?
With Y2K and the Elian Gonzalez operations, there were "no problems at
all."
Problems with system failing entirely?
Initially, there were "sporadic partial failures." These
"only reduced some coverage." When the system fails, it goes
into "Failsoft" mode, in which the system loses some functions.
Problems with related support systems, such as computers
and 911 services?
"No failures on computers." An overheating issue has been
"resolved."
Options in case of system failure?
There are "five levels of communications backup set up." The
system has "two separate standalone operations." If one were to
fail, the department would transfer to the other. The department could
also go to what is known as Global Bypass. This mode provides about 85%
coverage of the jurisdiction. After this level of redundancy, the
department could use their mutual aid channels, which are 800 MHz frequencies
independent of the trunked system. If the department were to lose all
radios, the department would respond to the phone.
How
satisfied with the system are the dispatchers?
The dispatchers have a "90-95% satisfaction level." The system
has "functioned no matter what they have thrown at it."
How satisfied with the system are officers?
The officers are at a "95-100%" satisfaction level. The officers
have "made great strides. Some were given misleading information
initially." Thomas says they are "still training the
officers." The addition of status messaging is helping. Thomas
noted that the radio system has an Emergency Identifier System.
How satisfied with the system are communications
managers/support personnel?
Communications managers are at a "90%" satisfaction level. There
were a "number of things we wanted to see in the system." The
system has "met all requirements." Thomas said the department is
"fine-tuning" the system.
Is interoperability a problem, especially in major
incidents?
Miami-Dade has mutual aid channels set up. The department has
"developed a communications set-up where a talkgroup [on the trunked
system] can be patched to other systems." Since the Homestead Police
Department continues to use their VHF channels, Miami-Dade is "working
with" that department. In a case such as this, where a trunked system
is not compatible with older conventional systems, Thomas said neighboring
departments can use a statewide frequency to communicate. Miami-Dade uses
a Comnet EDACS trunked system, and the City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach
use Motorola trunked systems. Although the manufacturers differ, Thomas
said there have been "no failures."
System Cost
How much did the current system cost?
The system was supposed to cost $42 million, but came to $50 million with
"overruns."
How much are maintenance costs per year?
Maintenance costs are $3 million per year. This figure includes labor and
service.
Did upgrading to a trunked system decrease maintenance costs?
"Yes, it did, because the VHF system was losing" its
cost-effectiveness.
Would upgrading to a digital system decrease maintenance costs?
Thomas said that "part of the process is to digitize the
system." The system has "some digital talkgroups already."
Adequate funding for maintenance/upgrades?
"Yes."
Is cost-benefit analysis used in determining upgrades/procurement?
"Yeah, everything proposed has to be weighed." The department
has to ask what the costs and benefits of a certain upgrade are.
System Upgrades
What are planned upgrades to radio system?
The department "expects to make more changes [to the radio system]...not
sure of these changes." Miami-Dade is "trying to get other
frequencies." The department is also looking into "Jaguar
radio."
What are planned upgrades in support systems (e.g. CAD,
MDTs, Enhanced 911, etc.)?
The department is "modifying the 911 system...implementing
'Positron'...[this will have] four levels of redundancy."
Are upgrades sometimes foregone because of inadequate
funding?
"We have had some instance of this...times where someone will ask, but
funding is not available." Thomas says the department is
"looking for a new CAD" system.
System Politics
Disagreements with local government over technology upgrades?
"Information Technology works with the department and has no problem going
through" the department.
System subject to too much/too little oversight by local government?
The department has an "equitable relationship with Information
Technology...have final say about police side...been extremely responsive and
open and honest."
Conflicts with communications managers and radio manufacturers (Motorola, GE,
etc.)?
There have been "delays in receiving coding information for projects...hard
to obtain information in beginning...unresponsiveness from Ericsson because of
sale [to Comnet]...Netcom [Comnet] has been more responsive."
Has the system been in the news much recently?
"Very little media attention...did have problem with inaccurate
information...one year ago, fire department [which uses VHF radios] didn't want
to go on system...reported bad tests."
How satisfied is the public with the system?
The public "has a pretty good impression of system and response time with
it...interoperability [is a] question with all jurisdictions."
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