ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q3-2023

Continued from "The Importance of Mobile Routers", on page 19

FLEXIBILITY Given the evolving landscape of cellular technology and the variations in frequency bands used by different carriers, it is imperative to opt for public safety routers with flexible frequency band capabilities. By ensuring compatibility with the relevant frequency bands for your specific operational needs, you can maximize the longevity of your network infrastructure as systems evolve. Dual-SIM capability is increasingly important, enabling easy switching between cellular carriers. This feature is particularly advantageous for agencies operating in expansive geographic areas where carrier coverage may vary based on location. Dual-SIM provides a degree of redundancy, helping ensure reliable connectivity. Maximizing the connection options enhances operational effectiveness in diverse environments. Additionally, mobile routers should be capable of simultaneous connectivity on wireless local or wide area networks. CLOUD-BASED DEVICE MANAGEMENT A cloud-based device management system enhances the ef ficiency of IT staff in managing and supporting mobile devices. It offers centralized configuration, device monitoring, and software upgrades across the entire fleet, resulting in substantial time savings and reduced IT-related expenses. This remote support capability is particularly advantageous for police vehicles, al lowing them to stay on the road while benefiting from effective assistance. Moreover, a cloud management layer enables addi tional functionalities like geofencing, telematics, and advanced security, further augmenting the system's capabilities. TELEMATICS AND OPERATIONAL BENEFITS Telematics involves using technology to collect and analyze data from vehicles. Mobile routers facilitate the collection of key data from police vehicles, including vehicle location, fuel consumption, and driving actions. This information can be used to improve fleet efficiency and reduce costs. Telematics pro vides more informative data for fleet operations by considering multiple factors. For example, traditional maintenance sched ules are often based on mileage, but police vehicles frequently idle for long periods of time. By leveraging telematics, managers can monitor vehicle health, identify potential issues before they escalate, and implement preventative maintenance schedules. This proactive approach minimizes downtime due to unexpected breakdowns and extends the lifespan of vehicles, ultimately enhancing operational effectiveness and lowering maintenance related costs. ROUTERS EXTEND COVERAGE Mobile routers are generally connected to an external antenna, and this can significantly extend effective coverage. By capturing signals from an optimal location outside the vehicle, the antenna helps reduce the impact of interference caused by electronics within the vehicle, such as radios and computers. This can result in a cleaner, stronger signal, leading to better call quality, faster data transfers, and more reliable connections. “External antennas also make hot spots more effective,” noted Gomez. “And a MIMO [multi input, multi output] antenna can leverage multiple frequencies, allowing for much more flexibility overall.” CARRIER CONSIDERATIONS AND 5G NETWORKS Hardware is important, but smartphones and in-car com puters are worthless if officers can't access data or run desired applications. When it comes to carriers, remember the "three C" priorities in this order: coverage, customer support, and cost.

Coverage should be the number-one determining factor and in to day’s mobile environment, that increasingly means 5G coverage. Conventional wisdom in government purchasing is to go after the lowest bid, but this is a time when service quality and operational capability and reliability should be the determining factors. After coverage, customer support is essential to successful router integration and overall operational effectiveness. Law enforcement agencies know the importance of a trusted partner, and this should be your benchmark for customer service. Public safety technology projects can present some challenges espe cially when integrating a new component like routers. If you’re evaluating carriers, ask other agencies about their experience and the level of support they have received. Carrier representa tives may not have all the answers, but they should have the resources and referrals to help resolve issues in a timely manner. T-Mobile for Government offers agencies access to the nati on’s largest 5G network and provides priority access and preemption to organizations that are eligible for Wireless Priority Service (WPS). T-Mobile also provides these agencies data priority for mobile devices. Since WPS is the only way to ensure priority calling across multiple carriers, T-Mobile assists agencies in the WPS registration process. All these services are provided without additional charge. And T-Mobile has first responder rate plans that are budget friendly, both for agencies and individual lines. CONCLUSION For police decision makers, it’s important to understand the role of mobile routers and their impact on operational effective ness and the success of your department's mission. Reliable communication, data access, and timely vehicle maintenance are vital for police operations. By effectively managing in-vehicle technology, enabling telematics, and embracing the power of 5G, mobile routers can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of police operations. About the Author: Dale Stockton is a 32-year-veteran of law enforcement and found er of Below 100, an award-winning officer-safety initiative designed to reduce police line-of-duty deaths. He is a retired police captain from Carlsbad, CA, and taught criminal justice classes for more than 20 years. Stockton is also an accomplished technology practitioner who has managed major projects, including personnel locate devices, license plate recognition systems, and regional smartphone deploy ments. He is a graduate of FBI NA Session 201. background investigator. With the right cloud-based background investigation system agencies can, with a few simple clicks of a button, connect with other agencies, create reference packets, generate detailed reports, and much more. Detailed background investigations have been a staple of law enforcement for generations but that does not mean agencies have to keep conducting them the same old way. Today's climate requires agencies to collect, analyze, store, and share candidate information more quickly, efficiently and carefully, and this means embracing change and new technologies so they can start getting back to full force. About the Author: Tyler Miller is the president and chief executive officer of Miller Men-del Inc., creators of eSOPH, a cloud-based software system designed specifically for public agencies who must process in-depth pre-employment background investi gations on their applicants. Continued from "How To Hire Faster", on page 25

FBINAA.ORG | Q3 2023

33