Manassas City Police ask for public comment on grant application

The City of Manassas Police Department is asking for residents’ comments on proposed purchases of new equipment that would be bought with an FY 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, according to Sgt. E.C. Rivera, police department spokesman. The city will be submitting a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs under Program.  The Department was allocated $19,639 and will request to use these funds for six supply/equipment purchases to increase officer and resident safety, Sgt. Rivera said.  Applications are due May 14, 2012.

Comments on the submission of the application should be directed to Lieutenant Tina P. Laguna of the Manassas City Police Department’s Special Projects Office.  Call Lt. Laguna can be reached at 703-257-8025 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

According to Sgt. Rivera, the grant application if approved, will fund several equipment purchases that will 1) enhance the effectiveness of evidence collection; 2) increase the safety of Manassas City Police Officers and city resident; 3) facilitate the collection and transfer of information through advanced technology and 4) increase the technology capabilities of the department.  Proposed for purchase with the grant funds are:

1) One Portable Digital Data Collector - Cost:  $3,995.
The Manassas City Police Department routinely investigates auto accidents that occur within its jurisdiction.  While the City did experience a decrease in auto accidents in 2011, there were still 650+ reported auto accidents resulting in 450+ injuries.  Police Crash Reports (FR-300) can be prepared by any police officer, however; when circumstances warrant it, advanced crash investigation specialists are needed to investigate auto accidents.  These specialists require specialized equipment to accurately document, measure, and at times, reconstruct the accident scene.  The police department currently has one piece of equipment (Total Station) that allows these officers to electronically document and measure various items while on scene.  However, the officers must return to the police department and download the information onto a computer in order to view and determine if all information was accurately obtained.  The proposed portable digital data collector is designed to be used in conjunction with the Total Station device.  The portable digital data collector provides an instant preview of measurements, thereby allowing the user to see errors or deficiencies instantly.  This device can also be used to document evidence at crime scenes.  It allows the user to zoom in on evidence, add descriptions to key points, and preview a diagram of the scene while shooting it in 2-D or 3-D from various angles.  The addition of this device would ensure that all incidents, auto accidents, or criminal case scenes are documented correctly and accurately without having to repeatedly return to a scene.

2)  25 Digital Point & Shoot Camera Kits - Cost:  $5,000
The Manassas City Police Department is responsible for investigating numerous types of crimes from vandalisms and burglaries to robberies and other violent crimes.  Part of that investigation includes documenting evidence via photographs.  Currently each patrol squad has either one or two cameras assigned to the unit.  If the police officer with the camera is not at the scene, the investigating officer must wait until the officer with the camera can respond to the scene.  If the police officer with the camera is temporarily unavailable or busy, the investigating officer must wait, taking a police officer out of service and inconveniencing the victim.

The cameras currently being used by patrol members are digital point & shoot cameras.  The purchase of digital point & shoot cameras would keep similar equipment within the unit and keep current training consistent.  The purchase of this amount of cameras would allow the majority of patrol officers to have a camera assigned directly to him or her.  This would allow each officer to photograph and document pertinent evidence without having to wait for an available camera.  The use of digital photography would enable the officer to view the photograph prior to leaving the scene to ensure that the photo accurately depicted the evidence.

3) Two Tactical High Gear Suits & Kits - Cost:  $2,800
Manassas City Police Officers are required to participate in Defensive Tactics (DT) training, annually.  The department has several certified instructors to facilitate this training.  Since DT training involves dynamic activities such as handcuffing, ground and knife defense, and escaping from various types of holds, it is imperative that both the officers and the instructors can interact in a safe manner.  The tactical high gear suit will reduce the risk of injury to the instructor while allowing officers to demonstrate and apply active counter measures during training.

Such suits are made to withstand the rigors of close-quarter combat.  They have a form-fitting design with articulated joints for maximum flexibility and are compact enough to be worn under clothing, allowing for visually realistic simulations and role player scenarios.  The kit generally includes a helmet, throat and torso protectors, and other such pads.

4) Six High Tier Temple Transducer Headsets & five Temple Transducer Headsets - Cost:  $2,210
The Manassas City Police Department has an Emergency Services Unit (ESU) that is deployed to high-risk situations, armed &/or barricaded suspects, hostage situations, sniper attacks, warrant services for major arrests, general search warrants, and other similar life threatening events.  This unit is responsible for ensuring officer and citizen safety during these critical events.  The ESU spends countless hours training with specialized equipment so that they will be prepared for numerous types of events.  While engaged in an event, the group must be able to receive and transmit information without hindrance.  These proposed headset systems allow members to quietly communicate with other team members via ‘push-to-talk’ transmission.  The headset systems also allow members to hear ambient noise with their ears, while still hearing directions and commands from other team members or command staff.  ESU members will deploy either of these headset systems based on the type of event and their specific function during the event.

5) 14 ‘Receive Only’ Earpieces - Cost:  $588
The Manassas City Police Department has a Civil Disturbance Unit (CDU) that provides the department with the capability to appropriately respond to large public gatherings, demonstrations, disturbances or other public safety incidents. While protecting the rights of citizens to peaceably assemble and lawfully express their views, it is also the responsibility of the police department to preserve the peace and to protect life and property.  The department’s CDU has been deployed to numerous events within the City and has also assisted with multiple events in the National Capital Region. Due to the nature of their work, the CDU utilizes specialized equipment.  It is imperative that they have the ability to hear commands and information from other team members and staff at the Command Post.  The current CDU communication equipment consists of a standard police radio and an earpiece.  Past experience has demonstrated that this standard earpiece is not sufficient.  The earpiece proposed for purchase has a noise reduction component.  The earpiece would allow CDU members to hear information being broadcast via the radio even with loud crowd noise.

6) Five iPads with Wi-Fi Capability, Accompanying Accessories & Software Applications - Cost: $4,849.75
Having the ability to quickly and accurately obtain information while away from the department is important.  Many cases require additional research and investigation and at times, this must be done immediately.  Currently, if staff members need to research information on the internet, he or she must return to the police department and use a computer.  The only other option would be to have a Communications Specialist at the police department research the information on the internet and then report the results back to the officer.  Some department personnel are required to attend various meetings within the region.  While these members are able to utilize a laptop, they must wait until they return to the police department to disseminate any information obtained at those meetings.  Instead of information being easily accessible, many times it is cumbersome and laborious to obtain.
The proposed purchase of the iPads, necessary accessories, and applications would enhance the effectiveness of operations and the efficient use of resources.  This technology would allow police department personnel to directly access additional electronic information while on the incident scenes and if necessary, transfer that information to another individual or location.  Staff members out of the area on department business would be afforded connectivity to the department.  This device would facilitate remote communication (audio &/or video) with other law enforcement personnel or other appropriate persons.  The iPads would also enhance community outreach programs and improve the management of social media accounts while away from the department, after hours, or on weekends.