Mobile Data Terminals

n May 1996, the Philadelphia Police Department began the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) Pilot Program in the 12th and 18th Police Districts, located in Southwest Philadelphia. After a three month trial, the program was deemed successful.

Due to the success of the pilot, the City of Philadelphia elected to institute the MDTs City wide beginning February 1997. The terminal in the Patrol vehicle communicates with City's main computer system through the Police Department's Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system by using a Bell Atlantic Mobile cellular radio frequency. This technology is very similar to the one used by cellular phones.

The Citywide program had two phases.
During Phase 1, officers are able to perform PCIC/NCIC checks on the MDT. In conjunction with receiving radio assignments using voice communication, officers are able to view the entire assignment on the MDT screen and have car-to-car communication capability.
In Phase 2, officers receive certain radio assignments only by MDT, thereby keeping voice communications to minimum and security levels high. Data communications via a MDT have several distinct advantages to voice communications:

• Supervisors are able to review pending assignments, check the status of all Patrol units and communicate directly with any unit by using the MDT. This permits supervisors to spot potential problems and take a proactive approach to managing their resources and workload.
• Transmissions are secure. This eliminates concerns of unauthorized scanning and interception of sensitive transmissions.
• MDTs increase available airtime, freeing existing voice frequencies for both officers and dispatchers when engaging in priority transmissions.
• Officers no longer have to `standby' while other officers and dispatchers are engaged with priority transmissions. Officers have the ability to recall up-to-the-minute pertinent data, premise history and information on radio assignments.
• Queries of wanted persons, stolen vehicles or PCIC/NCIC status can be done directly by an officer in a MDT-equipped vehicle. Officers can query as many vehicles and personnel as required, whenever or wherever needed.
• Information is accessed and received faster and more efficiently. Unlike our present voice communications, all MDT?equipped vehicles can make PCIC/NCIC queries simultaneously.

The introduction of the MDT in patrol vehicles has been one of the most important and significant pieces of technology for the street officer since the introduction of radio communications.

Information listed here is believed to be current at the time of publication. However, some of the material presented here may have expired since it was posted. Persons should contact a Philadelphia Police representative whenever relying on dated material or information that is subject to change.

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