"KMA367"
History of L.A.P.D Communications
page 4


BE ON THE LOOKOUT !

Here's what the future has in store for LAPD Communications

When the CDC opened in 1983, it embodied the future of law enforcement communications in Los Angeles. However, within a year of the center's opening, the call-volume had surpassed estimates for the 1990s. Currently approximately 6000 emergency calls and 8000 non-emergency calls are received daily, and about 5500 of these are dispatched to police units.

This has caused a number of problems, mainly because of the lack of room to expand. Over 600 employees are assigned to Communications Division. Dispatching is handled by civilian Police Service Representatives (PSRs), with as many as 90 people on the dispatch floor at any given time, including supervisors and trainees. 

A 1992 bond issue to revamp communications once again is about to come to fruition. Expected to cost a total of $250 million, two new "state-of-the-art" dispatch centers are nearing completion - one at 1st and Los Angeles Streets, next to Parker Center Police Headquarters, and the other 23001 Roscoe Blvd in Canoga Park. 

The downtown "Metropolitan Communications Dispatch Center" will generally handle the nine patrol areas and two traffic divisions in Central and South Bureaus, while the "Valley Communications Dispatch Center" will handle calls for the nine patrol areas and two traffic divisions in the West and Valley Bureaus. The two centers will at all times be connected with each other in real-time by fiber-optic and microwave networks; in the event of a disaster, equipment failure or problem at either center, the other will be able to absorb some or all of the workload almost instantly.

A completely new radio "backbone" system is being constructed, with a 109-channel UHF and VHF frequency plan, operable in either analog or digital mode, with advanced encryption (scrambling) available as well. All existing mobile and portable radios are in the process of being replaced with new equipment, and one of the department's priorities is to acquire handheld portable data terminals first for all motorcycle officers, and then for foot and bicycle patrol officers.
 

Astro Saber III® Portable Radio
LAPD Contract Announcement--
-
Radio Specs

Are you a Los Angeles Police Officer or PSR/RTO who's concerned about ASTRO and the switch to "Digital" mode...and how it might affect you? Check out Motorola's "Astro Digital System Overview." It's fairly technical, but the information might be useful to you.



PHOTO COURTESY OF MOTOROLA
MW-520®Mobile Digital Terminal
About 1200 new Motorola MW-520® vehicle MDTs have already been installed, and when the new system is completed in 2002 all 1400 patrol vehicles will be so equipped. The new data system has already been accepted and is in use, with twice as many channel pairs as before, and data speeds approximately eight times faster than the old system.
 

TRW has been the primary contractor for system design and integration, and Motorola is the radio system provider. While the voice radio system will be APCO "Project 25" compliant, LAPD has specifically rejected the idea of using radio frequency trunking, which essentially involves computer-controlled frequency "hopping." The idea is to make L.A.'s system as compatible as possible with other agency systems within Los Angeles County and Southern California. Trunking reduces interagency communication capabilities, since all agencies utilizing trunked radio communications have to be incorporated into the master trunking plan. In addition, trunking would add yet another layer of complication to the already complex system. 


Now, visit LAPD's new Metropolitan Dispatch Center which became fully operational in January, 2003
 


Email me if you wish

Southern California Fire Communications Frequencies & Links 

Thanks to all who have contributed to this site.
We've been designated as an "Educational Resource"
StudyWeb


I'd appreciate it if you would take a quick second and go here...

Thanks!


"CONTINUE PATROL..."
The RTOs never let you have Code 7 ??

Then click on one of these links, print it out, and take it to work with you tomorrow...

"Code 6-King"

"Code 6-Sam"

"Code 6-William"

Click Here!