During the summer of 2009 Newington and Wethersfield Police Departments began discussion of implementing a License Plate Reader (LPR) system.   The system will allow patrol officers to automatically scan license plates while conducting routine patrol.  These scanned plates are checked against a NCIC file and stolen vehicles, stolen plates, and wanted persons associated with plates are automatically displayed.  After a bid process the contract was awarded and installation commenced.  During this time a number of Capital Region Police Departments expressed interest in the system and it was relocated to the regional CAPTAIN's computer system located at Hartford PD.  The system became operational in late 2009 with Newington and Wethersfield PDs coming on line and East Hartford, Orange, and West Hartford PDs coming on line in the first quarter of 2010. 

There are a number of exciting aspects to the systems.  It will provide NCIC hit functions, DMV hit functions, allows for the input of local “Hot lists” such as tax law violators, unpaid parking ticket, and other local lists.  The system features: 

• Up to 4 cameras with simultaneous LPR processing
• Data sharing between LPR deployments – between departments
• Wireless data transmission for LPR scans and software updates via CAPTAINS
• Report Generation, automated Hot-List matches with Historical Profiling
• Easy mapping utilities with visualization tool box & forensic mapping
• Integration with NCIC files that are updated electronically
• Integration with Connecticut DMV (soon to be activated - 1st quarter of 2010)

These functions allow our investigators to check a plate or partial plate against the database.  If the plate has been scanned, a picture of the plate, a picture of the vehicle has been stored with its location, unit ID of who scanned it, date and time.  This can be viewed via a Google Map function to show where the plate has been scanned by map.  This will add one more tool to investigators tool belt assisting in the solving of crimes.  This system is another example of regional cooperation to lower costs of new technologies and certainly be a valuable tool for the region’s law enforcement agencies.

Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a biometric identification (ID) methodology that uses digital imaging technology to obtain, store, and analyze fingerprint data.  Fingerprinting, as a form of personal identification, is a refined methodology that is proven in practice and accepted in courts of law.   The Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) is a national automated fingerprint identification and criminal history system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). IAFIS provides automated fingerprint search capabilities, latent searching capability, electronic image storage, and electronic exchange of fingerprints and responses. IAFIS maintains the largest biometric database in the world, containing the fingerprints and corresponding criminal history information for more than 47 million subjects.
Fingerprints are voluntarily submitted to the FBI by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. These agencies acquire the fingerprints through criminal arrests or from non-criminal sources, such as employment background checks. The FBI then catalogs the fingerprints along with any criminal history linked with the subject.
The Newington Police Department integrated the AFIS technology into its day to day operation in 2006.  The department books all arrestees on the AFIS which automatically checks the fingerprints against the State and Federal databases to confirm identification.  If the fingerprints match an existing record then the biometric information is returned to the department within a few minutes.  This either confirms the identity of the arrestee or informs the officers that the individual is someone else and appropriate charges for false identification are added to the arrest.

In-House Computer Systems

The Newington Police Department's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems is a powerful system that tracks information relating to all Police, Fire, and Medical calls and field unit activity.  The system allows for bi-directional communication between (chat and incident updates) our public safety dispatchers and police officers in the field that are equipped with a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT).  Most of the department's patrol fleet is equipped with Automatic Vehicle Locators (AVL) which allows for real time location updates of patrol vehicles in the field.  Features of the system include but are not limited to: Address Validation; Premise Information, Unit Detail, Unit Deployment/ Recommendations, Personnel Management and Integration with the State of Connecticut's E-911 System.

The Newington Police Department's Record Management System (RMS) automates all of the common record keeping functions of the department.  Features of the system include but are not limited to: Incident Management; Case Management; Warrants; Prisoner Management; Property/Evidence Management; and includes a master name index with relational links to CAD and RMS data.

The Newington Police Department's Mobile Data System is comprised of two separate systems.  One system allows officers in the field to receive real time call alerts directly to their MDT's providing them with incident details, call location and digital mapping capabilities.  The system allows officers to communicate with our public safety dispatchers, receive updated call information, search CAD/ RMS and allows an officer  the ability to handle all calls for service from begin to end.  The second system is a regional system used by law enforcement to run records checks (motor vehicle, criminal justice, etc.), chat securely via instant messaging, and can interface to third party CAD and RMS systems. 

24 Hour Voice Recording System

The department employs state of the art voice recording equipment to record all radio transmissions occurring on any of the multiple channels, as well as all incoming telephone calls to the dispatch center.  This allows dispatchers or command staff personnel to instantly review past phone conversations or make use of the archived data.    We maintain our recordings for 31 days in accordance with state retention standard.

Video Monitoring & Recording

Live-Time video monitors are installed throughout the police headquarters to ensure building security.  This includes the lobbies, hallways, exterior locations, sally port, cell block, and booking Areas. All activity occurring is digitally recorded and maintained as prescribed by state retention standards.  The system incorporates a series of DVR recorders.  The communications center is equipped with large digital monitors and dispatchers continually monitor all building activity.  All Division Commanders and Patrol Sergeants also have these viewing capabilities.

Enhanced 911 System.

We operate the 911 system for the Town of Newington.  This system consists of a number incoming phone lines that are computer controlled by a central database maintained by the State of Connecticut Office of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications.  This system allows the communications dispatcher to answer an incoming phone emergency and the centralized database displays the location and information concerning the phone line.  This system is used to dispatch emergency personnel to incidents and when the individual can or cannot communicate with communications personnel.