The system has since paid for itself through an increase in fines, and increased officer safety. The new system also improves officer safety. The officers are now able to run their own searches without needing a dispatcher's help. The dispatcher had to write all the information down and type it into the in-house computer and then radio it back to us. Rather than using open radio communications, police officers use their computers to communicate with each other via e-mail.
Encryption makes digital transmission more secure than traditional radio communications.
This way, criminals are not able to monitor police voice traffic. According to Scholtz, during the last couple of years the department has not encountered any major problem with their system, and it's meeting his expectations. Even though the system has been in use for only two and one-half years, Amesbury has seen great results. Because of the system's flexibility and ease of use, it has been received very positively by the officers. They all use it and see that it is an advantage to have it out there.