HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1996 0221 CC REG ITEM 07N`y{ t � G
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Moorpark Police Department
MEMORANDUM
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TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Marty Rouse, Lieutenant P 1 �
DATE: February 6, 1996 (C. C. Mtg. 2/21/96)
SUBJECT: Police Cellular Phones
ISSUE
In an effort to improve communication capabilities with patrol deputies and to provide an efficient
method of communication without increased radio transmissions, the Moorpark Police
Department requests the use of additional cellular phones on a trial basis.
PROBLEM
The use of cellular phones in law enforcement are no longer a luxury but an essential tool
necessary to ensure an efficient and effective use of available resources. Currently the only
method of communication for patrol deputies is use of the police unit radio or a pay phone. Most
pay phones are no longer equipped to allow for incoming calls. This results in deputies having to
locate and use their own money at a pay phone or respond to the Resource Center whenever
sensitive information cannot be transmitted over the radio. It is common knowledge that police
radio transmissions are routinely monitored by the citizenry. This in turn requires an alternative
means of communication. Providing on -duty personnel and supervisors with ready access to a
telephone ensures deputies receive all the necessary information regarding a situation without
compromising (to a great extent) sensitive or officer safety information. The equipment necessary
to monitor cellular phones is not as readily available to the public as are police radio scanners.
DISCUSSION
Deputies assigned to the unincorporated areas of the county have utilized cellular phones for
some time as have field supervisors. There is no indication of abuse mainly because personal calls
are specifically prohibited and it is easy to determine who was responsible for any given phone call
during a patrol shift. Both watch commanders and field supervisors report increased information
exchange resulting in better overall supervision capabilities. The mounting brackets for the
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phones are now standard installation in all of the police units center consoles.
The Moorpark Police Department has been allocated six cellular phones from Airtouch Cellular.
Airtouch Cellular is the county's service provider. The phones are free with four months of free
service with a monthly rate of $25.00 and a off -peak rate of $.21 up to a maximum rate $30 per
minute. It can be assumed that use of cellular phones can actually result in a cost savings to the
City when officer time and mileage are factored in for every time a officer must locate an available
telephone. The cellular phones would be limited to business use only for all the phones except for
the Police Chief (cellular phone already issued) and the two Sergeants. Any charges for personal
calls will be reimbursed to the City.
Funds are available in the telephone account to cover the costs this fiscal year based upon a
projection of average use (this is based upon a minimum of $20.00 air time per month per phone).
The impact on the 1995 -96 budget is estimated at $600.00. The impact on next year's budget is
estimated at approximately $3,240.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council approval for the Moorpark Police Department to obtain and use
the cellular phones on a four month trial basis, to be paid from the current line item for telephone
service.
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