Consolidated Advanced Technologies for Law Enforcement Program

The Consolidated Advanced Technologies for Law Enforcement Program (CAT Program) is a collaborative effort between the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Department of Safety. The program addresses related problems in the integration of electronic devices within police vehicles, and in the network communications integrating vehicles and law enforcement agencies, all of which impact the ability to seamlessly collect, interpret and exchange information in real time. Since the program was first funded in September, 1999, major technological changes have been put into place within the NHDS. All cruisers in the NH State Police have been provided with wireless access to standard state and national law enforcement databases. All new cruisers are being equipped with a unique voice actuated computer system which integrates the control of in-cruiser devices such as lights and siren, radar, and video, as well as performing voice driven data queries. In parallel to redesigning the in-cruiser environment, new server systems for NHDS headquarters operations have been specified and acquired with program funds. These server systems directly impact daily dispatch operations for the NH State Police and some local agencies, and they lead the way towards reducing paper records and automating the flow of law enforcement information within the state.