FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2008
Contact: Michael DiResto, 225-342-7000; Lt. M. Doug Cain, 225-925-6202 (LSP)

Commissioner Davis, State Police Superintendent Col. Edmonson announce $12.9 million to increase trooper strength, enhance technology and interoperability

Baton Rouge - Today, Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson, and Department of Public Safety officials announced plans to seek $12.9 million in state funds to add 50 new patrol troopers statewide and enhance information technology and interoperability systems.

The funding recommendation will be included in the Governor's Executive Budget, which Commissioner Davis will present to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget on February 29. Over the next week Commissioner Davis and other state officials will be highlighting budget priorities for which Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration will seek the legislature's approval.

Specifically, the budget request calls for $6.5 million to fund a 50-member manpower cadet class, $4.9 million for information technology enhancements, and $1.5 million for the state match of a $4.5 million federal grant toward bolstering the state's interoperability communications for first responders.

'These investments will bring demonstrable improvements in state police enforcement and public assistance, and add to the effectiveness and efficiency of those who fight crime and keep Louisiana's citizens safe', Davis said.

'These initiatives allow the Louisiana State Police to place more troopers on the highways and operate more efficiently with enhancements in technology,' said Col. Edmonson. 'They also strengthen a major goal of the department by building partnerships with local law enforcement through interoperable communications.'

Specific information on the budget recommendations

50 Additional Trooper Manpower ($6.5 million)

Increases patrol trooper strength to 657 statewide. This gives Louisiana State Police the ability to incorporate community policing and assign duty posts to personnel to ensure that the highways in this state are systematically patrolled.

According to a Northwest University Manpower Allocation Study, the patrol section is proportionally understaffed. This addition bolsters current trooper strength, while the level of enforcement would proportionately increase as well as the level of service.

Statistics: On average a trooper provides 457 motorist assists, 25 D.W.I. arrests, 171 seat belt citations, 432 hazardous moving citations and 2,080 annual hours patrolled.

The 50 additional troopers are projected to increase the overall state figures by:

Motorist Assists: 22,850
D.W.I. Arrests: 1,250
Seat Belt Citations: 8,550
Hazardous Moving Citations: 21,600
Patrol Hours: 104,000


State Match for Federal COPS Grant ($1.5 million)

Office of State police was awarded a $4.5 million federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) technology grant to enhance the 700MHz two way radio system for local and state first responders in coordination with the SIEC (Statewide Interoperable Executive Committee).

This funding will be used to continue to build upon infrastructure for the 700MHz radio system throughout the State of Louisiana, enhancing coverage and capacity at strategic locations. Specifically, the funding will be used to purchase 700MHz communications equipment located at tower sites and Project 25 standard compliant 700/800 MHz portable radios.

Information Technology Improvements ($4.9 million)

1. CAD / E-TICKET - $3,854,000
The CAD and E-Ticketing systems will improve officer safety, increase efficiency and ensure timeliness, accuracy and readability of important offender data electronically captured and transferred within the Criminal Justice community. This system will allow the consolidation of the Troop dispatching sections either a regional (2) or a State level.

2. MDT Aircards - $381,228 The installation of the wireless air cards will provide State Police Troopers the ability to connect to business related applications through the use of broadband services throughout the state. Broadband services will allow for a more expedient means of inputting crucial data as required by Federal guidelines as well as build a foundation for new technologies.

3. The 700MHz Radio System Console Maintenances - $88,000 The 700 P25 IP Console Maintenance is necessary to maintain optimum level of operation, reliability and over all compatibility with expansion to the new 700 system and increase ability to add defined dispatch locations throughout the State.

4. T1 Lines for Troop Dispatch - $72,000 OSP will install 6 new T1 lines at 6 Troops to provide connectivity between 700 MHz, and Master Sites. These lines carry critical system information such as control, voice, and network management data, thus enhancing and expanding communication coverage to the current 700MHz system.

5. 700 MHz Consoles - $540,000 OSP will purchase 6 new Digital Consoles for Northern Troops to operate on the new 700MHz system. The consoles will enable agencies to utilize the new 700MHz system in the northern region to communicate with other regions. A digital system provides increased security when used with encrypted radios, more coverage areas, allows for more user access to the system, cleaner audio on both transmit and receive, and more function ability.