Issue link: http://pfmmag.epubxp.com/i/113376
FOCUS Upftting I The LASD Upft p The LASD installs the new Panasonic CF-30 laptop with wireless connectivity in every new vehicle that leaves their East L.A. facility. LASD has about 2,000 Ford CVPIs with 400 brand-new CVPIs in storage and another 100 in various stages of upftting. LASD has new vehicles staged in various locations across the county. On average, the LASD replaces 500 vehicles a year. LASD Fleet estimates $2,500 per black/ white CVPI for annual maintenance costs. As the vehicle gets older, it is constantly being monitored and evaluated to ensure it is still cost efective to remain in service. Decommissioning mileage limits started out at 90,000 miles but with fscal restraint and decreased budgets, the LASD is now having some vehicles stay in service up to 110,000 miles. Vehicles that are removed from active service are stripped of all emergency equipment then either sold at auction or cannibalized for repair parts, then crushed and sold as scrap. Recently, LASD Fleet has been looking at the possibility of selling of fully equipped vehicles to other countries who can���t aford the expense of a fully equipped patrol unit. Tey will remove radio, laptop and any LASD specifc markings and then sell the vehicle as a fully operational police vehicle. Others have had good success at this, as it reduces the decommissioning labor costs and often brings in a higher resale value. 30 Police Fleet Manager Jan-Feb 2013 In the East L.A. garage facility, Penske staf, working under the direction of LASD Fleet, has to manage two separate feet programs at the same time. One is the decommissioning of older units and the recycling, sale, destruction, or refurbishing. At the same time Penske and LASD are decommissioning the old and upftting the new vehicles, they are running a parallel retro/refresh program. After evaluating each vehicle for repairs, mileage and condition (2005 and newer), vehicles in good shape that don���t have the latest equipment in them are selected for the retroft program. When the vehicle comes in for a retro ft, it is evaluated for where it goes frst in the large LASD garage. Everything from body repairs, mechanical, even tires. A vehicle could go to the body shop, or if it needs mechanical work, mechanics look it over before getting new retroft equipment. Te vehicle is given a complete safety evaluation and all services are done to ensure everything is up to date. This retrofit includes removing the older Mobile Digital Terminal (MDT) designed in 1985, and replacing it with a new custom Havis console and laptop docking station. LASD custom designs all their equipment with input from front line ofcers, Penske technicians, and the manufacturers��� themselves. Tis upgrade also includes each vehicle getting a new Panasonic CF-31 laptop complete with the latest software. Motorcycles receive the Panasonic CF19 device, which is carried in the saddlebag. Te core of the new system will be 2,600 Panasonic Toughbook CF-31s. Te Toughbooks will change the way deputies get mission critical information. Tis means the LASD is upgrading each patrol car into a high-tech powerhouse with each unit having: 1) Blue Check, an infeld fngerprint device that can verify or check a person���s identity; 2) direct Internet access to a library of resources; 3) report management system; 4) crime analysis and crime mapping; 5) mobile mapping with direct routing capability and the ability to coordinate multiple unit response. Tis also includes GPS and Alanis Validar system. Te Validar allows units to mark a location as the drive for future ref- p The sedans get prisoner partitions, customdesign gun racks, and bio rear seats. erence. For example, in a pursuit if a gun is tossed, deputies will mark the location by depressing a button on the console. Other units will see the ���breadcrumb��� and respond appropriately. Te integrator for the massive project is Raytheon, a company that has demonstrated its technology ability in military and communication circles, but is relatively new to this area of public safety. Mobile computing isn���t the only part of the retro program. Te retro also adds a new prisoner cage because the new laptop and console requires extra mounting length. To do this, LASD modifed its existing prisoner cage with a cutout to allow extra room and attach the newly designed vertically mounted AR15 and Remington 870 shotgun rack. As part of the retroft program, Penske techs also copy the new vehicle upftting program with each retro vehicle brought in, getting the LASD custom-designed electronics trunk tray. Tis unique trunk tray is completely modular and plugand-play for immediate removal should a problem ever occur. Backup trays are in inventory and ready to go, which signifcantly minimizes vehicle downtime should electronic issues arise. Techs can swap out a trunk tray in approximately an hour and