Leveraging Wireless Broadband To Improve Police Land Mobile Radio Programming: Estimating the Resource Impact

• NCJ Number: 254196
• Journal: Journal of Crime & Justice Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 60-77
• Author(s): Jeremy G. Carter; Eric L. Piza; Eric Grommon
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-IJ-CX-K023
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

Since despite rapid growth in criminological studies of police technology, examinations of police land mobile radios are absent in the literature, the current study seeks to fill this research gap by introducing the functionality of wireless broadband radio programming.

Abstract

Current practice requires a police officer to physically drive to a radio programming location to manage their mobile radio. Wireless programming remedies this burdensome reality, thereby saving officer time and cost. The current study used geospatial analyses to estimate distance saved associated with wireless programming. It then conducted a number of calculations to determine time and cost savings related to the observed differences between existing and wireless radio programming within the context of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Results suggest wireless radio programming can save significant personnel and financial resources. Implications are discussed. (publisher abstract modified)