More than a decade ago the county’s three police departments – Annandale, Buffalo and Howard Lake – partnered to share costs on a computer system. Two years ago the Wright County Sheriff’s Department switched systems, and now the city of Buffalo has decided to make the switch to Zuercher, the county’s system.
At its meeting Monday, Nov. 6, the Annandale City Council came up with the same answer as Buffalo, and approved changing computer systems for its police department.
Cities and counties are not required to use the same computer systems, and Annandale Police Chief Jeff Herr has had no complaints over the years with the system currently used in Annandale. However since the county switched, he said they have experienced several interface issues that can impact their ability to do their job.
"The data that’s transferred between dispatch and the cars has been somewhat problematic. That information is so critical when officers are being dispatched to calls," he said.
Annandale officers are currently receiving the information from the dispatch center over the police radio. However, they also can be speeding to a scene and trying to concentrate on driving safely at the same time the data is given verbally, and do not have the ability to review it before encountering a situation.
"We want to get to the scene. With the officer trying to gather all this intelligence and going to the call," Herr said, "it’s critical they have the right information and be able to read the specific data."
Another advantage of being on the same system is a GPS unit that will show where all law enforcement units are at that time. Sheriff’s deputies currently have that ability.
"When you are going to a call you can look right on the screen and see where (other squad cars) are," Herr said. "In critical incidents, it would be nice for the officer to know how many deputies or officers are in the area."
Using the same system will mean all names will be in that system, and will make the process more seamless. It also will put an end to the lag time for information when sent through dispatch, which can be minutes, Herr said.
"Two minutes is a lot of time," he said. "When it’s a matter of life or death, that can make a difference. The bottom line is it’s about officer safety."
The cost for the new system for Annandale is $16,538, with annual maintenance costs ranging from $2,200 to $2,600. Herr said that is within $100 or so of the maintenance costs for the current computer system.
"Buffalo has already said they’re moving over," City Administrator Kelly Hinnenkamp said. "It’s expensive to be on a standalone system."
Since the cost wasn’t in the 2017 budget, Herr said payment may have to come from the department’s capital fund and forfeiture fund. Squad cars are rotated every four years, and he told the council they may have to delay the purchase of a squad car by a year.
The police department is looking to make the transition to the new system in January.