The javascript on this page is only used for graphical rollovers.
Each City of Decatur patrol vehicle is equipped with a computer that can access state of Georgia and national crime information databases. The computers also allow officers to complete incident reports and download reports to the department's computer system. Each vehicle is equipped with either radar or laser for speed detection. Vehicles are tracked with GPS equipment to ensure that officers are accounted for at all times.
For the protection of our officers and the collection of evidence, most patrol cars are equipped with either Mobile Vision or Eyewitness cameras.
Shown below is the inside of a typical patrol car. The screen in the center of the dash is a mobile data terminal/computer. Patrol officers use it to access records contained in the national and state crime information centers (NCIC/GCIC), Department of Motor Vehicles and the driver's license files. Officers can also send messages from car to car.
In addition to this capability, the terminal is a fully functioning computer using software similar to what is installed on most home computers, modified with the addition of reporting software developed by Information Technologies, Inc. All reports initiated by Decatur's officers on patrol are completed in their vehicles with this specialized reporting software and then transmitted back to the police department via a wireless radio connection.