subject: Chief Tom Saccenti talks about new In Car Computers [print this page] Chief Tom Saccenti talks about new In Car Computers
Pioneer Police Department is now the first police agency in the county to have in car computers. Newly appointed Chief of Police Tom Saccenti says that he was able to secure 4 computers for free through a governmental program. Additionally, Chief Saccenti states that he was able to get a grant that would provide the in car computer system to all Williams County law enforcement agencies.
Chief Saccenti says that the computers will provide a multitude of tasks, "We can now run a license plate through our computer and before we even turn on our overhead lights to activate a traffic stop we will know the make and model of the vehicle, if it is stolen and all the owner information including if the owner has any active warrants or a concealed weapons permit."
Not only will we have access to BMV information, we will be able to file police reports on scene and access all report files from our car. This will help with officer visibility. Officers can stay out in the field while they file reports or review shift activity for the previous shifts.
Chief Saccenti states that the use of the in car computers not only improves officer safety, he states that it will help with lowering the work load on the Central Dispatch center. Saccenti states "As it stands now, officers have to request all license plate information, all drivers information, and all passenger information. If the driver does not have their ID with them or the vehicle registration, dispatch then must transmit all the personal information about the driver including their date of birth, drivers license number, social security number, even their height and weight over the radio which is open to the public to listen to. Having the in car computers not only frees up the dispatchers time but also helps to prevent identity theft."
Mayor Kidston states, "This type of thinking is exactly why we hired Tom Saccenti as our Chief of Police. He is forward thinking and willing to implement new ideas".
