EAST CHICAGO | East Chicago patrol officers have begun replacing laptop computers in their squad cars with new models specially designed for law enforcement.
Wireless connections to city squad cars went high-speed in 2007, and the 40 new Panasonic Toughbooks approved by the Board of Public Works are a better fit with the network than the old Dell models, said Sgt. George Almedina, police communications supervisor.
"I've been piecing them together for some time now," Almedina said of the 2006 Dell laptops in use, which were not designed for daily police work.
The Toughbooks, made to withstand rough conditions, will be mounted in the cars with a shock-absorbing installation package, Almedina said, and are laminated for protection against liquid spills.
"Reliable communications keep officers safer in the field," Almedina said, providing instant updates on emergency calls and access to license plate information and photos of wanted suspects through the nationwide Spillman computer database.
Four of the Toughbooks will stay in-house for use by the department's Criminal Investigation Division, Almedina said, with the rest permanently mounted in patrol vehicles.
The $136,770 cost of the computers is structured into three annual payments through a lease-purchase agreement, said James Bennett, city financial adviser, who said plans are to pay off the debt in 18 months for a $14,000 savings on interest.
The Toughbooks carry a three-year warranty, Almedina said, and should meet law enforcement needs in the city for some time.
Police Chief Augusto "Gus" Flores said the computers will stay in the squad cars, and officers will use individual identification numbers and passwords to log on to the department's network while on duty.
Anyone looking to purchase Toughbooks used instead of brand new can check out Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff.
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