SPD Mobile Data Computers
The Somerville Police Department has been using mobile data computers (MDC's) in their cars since January of 1996. The system allows officers to check department of motor vehicle information from all 50 states as well as access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

The system's ability to give officer's a rapid return to their inquiries has enhanced officer safety as well as assisted officers in making numerous arrests. Also, with 10-8 System's reporting software in the patrol cars, officers can now complete reports in their cars, and upload them to a server in police hq. A supervisor can now get a report from the server, download it to their car, review the report, and approve it and send it back to the server without having to come into hq.

The system uses laptop computers mounted in the patrol cars that are linked to a central terminal in police hq via an open cellular line. We currently utilize ruggedized Panasonic CF-28 laptop computers, with Airlink Raven CDPD 19,200 bps full duplex modems. Any inquiries may be directed to Technology Coordinator Michael Halperin at info@somervillepd.org .

For more information on the software and hardware partners that power the system you can link to Verizon, Aether Systems, Airlink, and InfoCop.