Law Enforcement
Twenty years ago, the 9/11 terrorist attacks forever changed our nation – and set a new course for the way public safety communicates. The FirstNet Authority’s law enforcement expert, Harry Markley, reflects on his experiences on 9/11 and how today public safety communications are different with FirstNet, the nation’s public safety broadband network.
Burleson County is a small, rural county east of Austin in Texas. The Burleson County Sheriff’s Office serves the county through law enforcement, corrections, and dispatch services. The Sheriff’s Office launched its drone program to enhance situational awareness during emergencies and planned events. As a rural county, connectivity is key, and FirstNet ensures footage from the drones can be streamed back in real time to decision makers on the ground.
Penn State University Police and Public Safety joined FirstNet, connecting department personnel to a reliable, dedicated network. Using phones and tablets, officers can access tools and communicate during everyday incidents, packed football games, and emergency situations.
The Wilmington Police Department in Delaware serves the state’s largest city. Recognizing the need for more efficient and effective aerial video capabilities, the agency invested in unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in 2014. The agency relies on FirstNet to stream video footage from the drones back to the ground in real time, providing responders with critical information to make in-the-moment decisions.
Law enforcement agencies in Michigan are taking advantage of mission critical capabilities on FirstNet, such as priority and preemption. For the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, this means officers and deputies are able to communicate and have access to the tools they need in the field, ultimately helping them better serve their communities.
Northern Minnesota’s first responders got a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet network expansion currently underway by AT&T.
When the computers in their patrol cars began slowing down, officers with the Milford Police Department in Delaware were unable to access databases and reporting software. After switching to FirstNet, the department has a reliable connection, enabling officers to use mission critical capabilities and to seamlessly upload video from dashcams and body-worn cameras.
Whether it’s during a football game with 100,000 fans or everyday emergencies, officers with the Penn State University Police and Public Safety in Pennsylvania need the ability to communicate. The agency made the switch to FirstNet to equip officers with advanced tools and reliable connectivity, preparing officers for any incident.
Officers with the City of Dallas Police Department are now connected to FirstNet. With connectivity in in-vehicle routers and on department-issued phones, officers have access to tools like push-to-talk and applications that increase situational awareness, helping them better serve their community.
FirstNet Authority Senior Law Enforcement Advisor Harry Markley spent more than 30 years with the Phoenix Police Department, rising through the ranks and serving in nearly every part of the department. At the FirstNet Authority, he works with law enforcement to understand how mobile broadband can fit into their operations and how FirstNet can help keep officers and the public safe.
The Milford Police Department in Delaware uses hundreds of gigabytes of data each month, uploading dash and body-worn camera footage and using ticket and reporting software provided by the state. FirstNet’s reliable, dedicated connection and priority and preemption features ensure officers can communicate, share data, and stay connected to data capabilities in the field.
After testing Band 14 capabilities at the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships, public safety agencies in Eagle County, Colorado, began adopting FirstNet. Priority, preemption, coverage, and capacity have benefited first responders in the area while responding to events such as major fires and large concerts.
The Baltimore Police Department is the largest public safety agency in Maryland on FirstNet. With department-issued smartphones, laptops, and in-vehicle routers and modems connected to the network, officers have reliable access to the tools they need. And in-building solutions ensure that coverage reaches officers throughout all police facilities.
Public safety K9s can be trained for a wide range of services, from search and rescue to bomb and drug detection. These dogs work across urban, rural, wilderness, and disaster settings, and can sometimes end up a mile away from their handler. As technology advances, handlers are exploring ways technology – such as trackers and live-streaming cameras – can enhance K9 operations, keep dogs and handlers safe, and improve situational awareness and mission success.
As a smaller agency, officers with the Ironton Police Department in Ohio rely on communicating with one another to serve their community. The police department is using FirstNet to remain connected as they respond to the opioid crisis in the city. FirstNet supports other agencies in Ironton, as well, providing a common operating picture for city services.
The Green Bay Police Department is the main law enforcement agency for the Green Bay Packers football games. Even during big plays when network congestion is the highest, FirstNet gives them faster speeds, better data exchanges, and clearer calls. FirstNet has also made a difference for Green Bay police outside the stadium, like when they tracked a fleeing shooting suspect.
FirstNet is making a difference for law enforcement agencies across the nation—in both daily operations and at big events, whether planned or unplanned. In northern Virginia, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office relies on FirstNet for everyday use, emergencies, and large events. They also partner with other FirstNet users in the region to collaborate on how to best use the network.
San Joaquin County announced the Sheriff, Public Works, Office of Emergency Services, and other county personnel are joining FirstNet. The network will allow for coordination among agencies and jurisdictions during emergencies as well as access to innovative tools and devices in the field.