The Chatham-Kent Police Service has as begun the process of replacing the radio systems within all of its patrol vehicles, but only after years of repeated equipment failure and continual maintenance.
According to police Chief Gary Conn, the radio/repeater systems in police cruisers are in excess of 25 years old, despite the manufacturer’s suggested lifecycle being in the range of 10-15 years.
“Most notably in the past few years, we’ve experienced problems,” said Conn. “Some of these chronic failures [are a] combination of broken, garbled, distorted, and missed critical radio communications during emergencies and non-emergencies between dispatch and our users in the field.”
While the radio/repeaters are well past their lifecycle date, Conn said the need for radio/repeater replacements was only realized following years of equipment failures and repeated repairs.
“At some point, you reach a saturation point and say enough is enough,” said Conn. “It’s never a good time because this a very costly project.”
There are approximately 40 vehicle repeaters and 45 vehicle radios that need to be replaced, which will cost an estimated $1.4 million.
During a meeting on October 19, the Chatham-Kent Police Services Board approved a proposal to purchase three radio/repeater packages at a cost of $99,911, referring to the move as a “stop-gap approach” to ensure continued radio communications. The radio packages are expected to arrive by the new year.
The report indicates that a more detailed replacement plan is needed and will be drafted in the coming months as part of the municipality’s Radio System Refresh Replacement project. The overarching project is also expected to address aging radio equipment at Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services and Chatham-Kent Public Works.
Conn estimated that it will take up to four years to completely replace all of the radios in the CKPS vehicles.
In the meantime, he said officer and community safety will not be jeopardized by the aging equipment.
“We immediately troubleshoot any radio issues that may arise,” said Conn. “There is no risk to public or officer safety, however, we want to ensure it remains that way, which is one of the reasons we are taking a proactive preventative approach to this project.”