Since the initial purchase of the current software system, the company “has demonstrated a lack of proactive maintenance efforts, resulting in insufficient updates and patches” according to the staff report.
“The vendor’s stagnant approach has failed to introduce features that could enhance staff productivity. Furthermore, the vendor’s limited 8 to 5 support schedule contrasts with Central Square’s comprehensive 24/7 assistance, enabling officers to promptly seek help, rather than waiting for days,” the staff report states.
In addition, the new software will provide critical communications in for Middletown police and facilitate a seamless exchange of information with other departments.
Middletown Police Chief Earl Nelson said “just no” when asked about the current system.
“It is not a good system. It wasn’t a good system when they purchased it and it wasn’t a favorite of the officers because of the search engine. I just didn’t work for us. We had to jump through two or three hoops to get information back on people or on license plates We couldn’t get information in a timely manner,” the chief said.
Nelson said Trenton, West Chester and Fairfield departments are already using the newly purchased software.
Full implementation will take about a year.
The software upgrades include:
- Hardware infrastructure to support the platform, managed by CentralSquare that enables them to oversee patching and software updates to the system.
- Consultation services are included to help staff implement the software correctly.
- Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD): A software application utilized 24/7 by Middletown Dispatchers to manage call activity. Middletown dispatches for both police and fire services. The upgraded CAD software will enhance the fire department’s ability to pre-plan for incidents and execute complex responses to our industrial and school environments.
- Records Management System (RMS): A software application used by the police division to manage police reporting. The current system is slow and contains numerous unresolved bugs that cannot be addressed by the vendor.
- Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL): A mapping component that displays the current locations of responding units. This functionality enables staff to monitor the movement of vehicles and tailor responses accordingly.
- Field Operations Mobile Software (FOPS): An application running on Mobile Data Computers (MDCs) within vehicles. This application allows officers (both fire and police) to access current calls, NCIC information, and communicate with colleagues.
- Jail Management System: A software application responsible for handling the booking and day-to-day operations of the jail staff.
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