WASHINGTON, D.C.-Bell Atlantic Mobile announced it equipped fourteen Washington, D.C., police cruisers in the Metropolitan Police Department’s fleet with instant wireless access to criminal databases and Bureau of Motor Vehicle records, via laptop computers using the carrier’s AirBridge wireless data network.
The system uses Cellular Digital Packet Data technology to provide access to the National Criminal Information Center, the Washington Area Law Enforcement System and nationwide motor vehicle information, said Bell Atlantic.
It also allows officers on the street to send each other e-mail messages.
Information that once took 15 minutes or more to access and was transmitted over non-secure radio channels now is accessible in as little as 15 seconds over fully encrypted, secure digital channels, said Bell Atlantic.
Providing the officers with direct access also frees up emergency radio frequencies.
“When we can put the power of wireless data to work against crime, it’s a win-win situation for the police and for the community,” said Gary Schulman, president of Bell Atlantic Mobile in Washington/Baltimore. “This CDPD network is fast, accurate, private, affordable and there’s no need for the department to invest the time, money and technical expertise to construct their own radio infrastructure.”
