Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Police Department

To:             David Corliss, City Manager

                   Cynthia Wagner, Asst. City Manager

                   Diane Stoddard, Asst. City Manager

                   Casey Toomay, Budget Manager

Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police               

From:        Captain Daniel Ward

Date:                   June 14, 2013

Re:             June 25, 2013 City Commission Meeting

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the June 25, 2013 meeting:

BACKGROUND

The Information Technology Division of the Lawrence Kansas Police Department is facing a multitude of issues that must be addressed in order to continue critical operations.  Over the years, Information Technology has expanded rapidly throughout the department.  The systems and products which have been put in place have made our organization and employees more efficient and effective; however, it has also made us dependent upon the technology. Today police officers utilize some form of computer technology to complete virtually every function of their job.  Police reports are written, submitted, approved, and sent to the State by electronic means.  They use the computer system to update calls and look up case related information. Today the computers have become as important as the radio for officers.  Maintaining the hardware which comprises the infrastructure of the Information Technology network is of vital importance.

DISCUSSION

The information Technology Division has identified a critical equipment replacement need for the training division and the patrol report writer stations.  The training division of the Lawrence Police Department uses 17 personal computers in the training division to provide recruit academy and continuing education programs the ability to teach each student how to use mission critical programs and duties. The current computers are over 8 years old and are failing, underperforming, and need to be replaced.

The patrol division has a total of 11 personal computer work stations (8 at the LEC and 3 at the ITC) where officers can complete their reports and conduct case related research on the Law Enforcement Information System. The current computers are over 6 years old and are failing, underperforming, and need to be replaced.    

Dell has a State contract (Contract #: WN10ACA) and can supply the required computers. A total of 28 Dell Optiplex 7010 personal computers with related software can be purchased from DELL under the State contract for a total of $30,765.56.

FUNDING SOURCES

The Police Information Technology budget has been identified as the source of funds to cover the cost of purchase for the above listed equipment. Currently the Police Department mill levy project line item (001-2-2110-6005) has a fund balance of $31,000.00 for the replacement of the training computers and the report writers.

RECOMMENDATION

Police Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to authorize the purchase of 28 computers for $30,765.56 from Dell under State contract WN10ACA.