Navigating the Connectivity Crossroads in Modern Policing

By Chief Dan Murphy, Hillside Police Department (Illinois)

When law enforcement leaders discuss modernization, the conversation often centers on the newest piece of equipment. However, as the volume of data generated in the field—from body-worn video to real-time analytics—grows exponentially, we must look past the hardware and toward the underlying infrastructure. In Hillside, we reached a crossroads in late 2025: continue with incremental updates or move toward a more integrated, multi-network approach designed for long-term resiliency.

For our department, the goal wasn't just to acquire better video; it was to solve the fundamental challenge of transmitting that video with absolute reliability during a crisis.

The danger of the single point of failure

A growing trend in the industry suggests a move toward broadband-only communication for public safety. While the speed and versatility of commercial cellular networks are impressive, relying on them as a sole lifeline introduces a significant vulnerability. We have all seen commercial networks struggle or fail entirely during severe weather, high-attendance community events or major public safety incidents.

In Hillside, we have adopted a redundant philosophy to mitigate this risk. By utilizing devices that operate on both our P25 radio network and LTE simultaneously, we avoid a single point of failure. In this model, the radio remains the primary bedrock for voice, while broadband handles the heavy data. When an officer enters a thick-walled hospital or a remote dead zone where one signal might degrade, the other acts as a fail-safe. This isn't just about coverage; it’s about working to ensure there is never a moment where an officer is truly alone.

Bridging the information gap

The operational impact of this redundant design was put to the test during a recent traffic stop. One of our officers had pulled over a subject who was becoming increasingly uncooperative. The officer requested backup but then stopped responding to dispatch.

Every Chief knows that feeling — that "Oh S***" moment when the radio goes silent. Usually, your mind jumps to the worst-case scenario. Are they fighting? Is there a weapon? Do I need to send every squad car in the county?

In the past, we would have had to wait for secondary units to arrive on the scene to confirm the officer’s status, leaving a dangerous information gap. However, because our field systems are now integrated directly into our situational awareness software via these layered networks, I was able to access a live video feed immediately from my desk.

I could see that while the subject was being difficult, they weren't physically fighting. I was able to relay that intelligence to the responding units in real-time, confirming the officer was safe. We de-escalated the anxiety of the backup response because we had a continuous stream of data that remained active even when the primary voice channel was silent.

Processing AI at the edge

We are also exploring how processing data at the “edge” — directly on the officer’s device — can improve community interactions. Hillside has a large transient population and many residents who speak languages other than English. In the past, we’d have to wait for a human translator to arrive on the scene or struggle with a patchy smartphone app.

By moving to equipment with local processing capabilities, officers can now facilitate more fluid, respectful conversations with residents in real-time without needing a cloud connection. Because the processing occurs on the device, the interaction stays fast and keeps the officer’s focus on the resident rather than a screen. Furthermore, consolidating multiple tools — cameras, microphones and sensors — into a single unit has allowed us to reduce the tactical clutter on an officer’s uniform. This subtle change helps make our personnel more approachable, which is a key component of our community policing mission.

Lessons for future deployments

As more agencies look toward the next generation of public safety tech, my advice to fellow leaders is to focus on the foundation first. Innovation is necessary, but it must be grounded in the realities of the field. When evaluating new systems, we must ask: "What happens when the bars on that phone disappear?"

My advice is simple: Look for the anchor. The radio is not a legacy tool; it is your fail-safe. The real future of public safety technology isn't a device that replaces the radio — it’s a platform that makes the radio go further with LTE and AI. True modernization isn't about chasing the newest gadget; it's about building a foundation that won't break when the community needs us most.