Jan. 25--Paraphrasing a comment made by City Councilman Wayne Anderson Tuesday night, in terms of the life span of modern technology, at nearly 14 years old, the Broomfield Police Department's primary software system might as well be 100.
It was because of the system's age, limited capabilities and the increasing difficulties and costs associated with its upkeep that Broomfield Police Chief Tom Deland came before council Tuesday to request $165,819 for an operations/systems performance assessment of his department. The assessment, which council unanimously approved and for which it awarded the contract to California-based firm Deltawrx Management Consultants, is intended to increase department efficiency and pave the way for installation of a newsoftware system.
Newer systems on the market can better manage police department functions and improve record keeping and the department's ability to analyze data, City and County Manager Charles Ozaki said.
Since the old system was installed for about $150,000 in 1998, Broomfield's population has increased by 57 percent and the police department has tripled in size, Deland said.
When Broomfield became its own county in 2001, the department took on the added responsibilities of managing the jail, providing court security and performing civil processing and emergency management services, Deland said. Much of the software associated with county functions is newer, and is not integrated into the main software system, further slowing down the flow of information within the department and with its partners in the courts and North Metro Fire Rescue District, he said.
"I believe, with a new system, we'd be able to do in minutes what would otherwise take us hours, like logging property and so forth," Deland said.
The purpose of the performance assessment, as opposed to directly seeking new software, is ensuring the department knows just what its looking for to fit its specific needs. Deland said the plan Deltawrx has laid out promises to improve internal efficiency and help the department select the right software. The company, which has worked with cities and counties across the country, received a glowing review from Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Paletta, Deland said.
"The goal is to really find out what the shortcomings are in our processes right now ... and see how we can speed things up," he said. "Because, as you all know, the No. 1 request of the police department is put more officers on the beat."
Councilman Anderson, who has experience as an executive working in the technology field, commended the approach of getting an assessment before buying a new system.
"More often than not, I've seen people buy systems and try to fit their processes to the system, which is backwards," Anderson said. "I highly support this approach, especially if you're going to be pushing out some efficiencies at the same time."
The $165,819 for the assessment will come from 2011 and 2012 capital improvement funds set aside for the project, according to a staff memo. The process is expected to take eight months. Deltawrx is expected to deliver a complete report with policy recommendations in the fall. The Broomfield Core Project team, consisting of police, information technologies and internal audit department staff, will oversee the assessment, Deland said.
Preliminary cost estimates for a new police software system are in the $2 to $3 million range, city staff said. The city has budgeted $1 million in 2013 and 2014 in capital improvement money for the replacement, according to a staff memo.
Copyright 2012 - Broomfield Enterprise, Colo.
