UMPD Seeks Communication Systems Upgrade

Upper Moreland Police is in need of upgrading its communications system. Speaking at last night’s Public Health and Safety Committee meeting, Upper Moreland Police Chief Thomas Nestel informed the committee that the current portable radios used by UMPD are outdated, and something needs to be done.

“The portable police radios that we currently use are no longer made by the manufacturer, and cannot be repaired by the manufactuer anymore,” Nestel said at the meeting.

He informed the committee that the current radios are approximately 13 years old.

This topic was brought up in light of a letter sent by the Montgomery County commissioners to each of the county’s municipalities with a police department.

In the letter, which is dated June 20, the county is,

“Contemplating on making the largest single capital investment in county history to upgrade our public safety communications system.”

According to the letter, such an upgrade would be expensive, with preliminary estimates costing $48 million.

Upgrades to what is essentially the 9-1-1 county dispatch system would include additional towers, enhanced equipment on existing towers and other upgrades.

According to Nestel, the county will decide on going forward with the communications upgrades in September, and expects such upgrades to occur between July 2012 and May 2013.

“By upgrading, we would be able to eliminate some dead spots throughout the county, and we have some of those spots throughout the township,” Nestel said at the meeting.

According to the letter, the county is looking for approval from the local municipalities in time for its September decision.

These upgrades would directly effect the radio equipment of police officers, specifically their portable radios.

In the past, the county has funded the data communications infrastructure, while the municipalities have covered the costs of their police department’s radio equipment.

According to the letter, police radios in this upgraded system would cost around $7,000 each and include a 10-year warranty, as well as a spare battery. 

Nestel has requested that the commissioners consider acquiring 40 such portable radios, one for each of the patrolling officers.

“If we have a radio for each officer, they care for it longer, and they are not used for more than half a day,” he said, explaining that this would elongate the lifespan of the radios.

Nestel also informed the committee of a lease option offered by the county, in which the county would purchase the radios for the municipality, and the cost may be paid back over a 10-year period at a 4 percent interest rate.

According to UM township manager David Dodies, Upper Dublin has already opted for the lease agreement. He added that it is only a matter of time before UMPD radio equipment fails due to age.

The committee has moved the county proposal forward, and will use Upper Dublin’s response letter as a template.