With the commendable action of a Clarkston police officer, the department is the first in Oakland County to implement state-of-the-art equipment for officers not using patrol cars.
Officer Alan Kitzens, with money out of his own pocket, has purchased a handheld Compaq Ipaq Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that runs with CLEMIS, Courts and Law Enforcement Information Management Systems, to use on patrol with a motorcycle, a vehicle Kitzens also funds himself.
The software for the PDA currently has access to LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network), Secretary of State information, and a messaging system for communication with other police officers.
Phase two of the software will include dispatch capabilities. It is unknown when phase two will be implemented.
The PDA allows an officer — whether on a motorcycle, on foot, boat, etc. — to have the same capabilities as one would have with the computer in a patrol car.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department is currently testing the PDA equipment. ‘That’s why we were able to program and use the software,? Kitzens said. Oakland County is using Clarkston as the ‘poster child? of the program.
Without a PDA, an officer uses their radio to access information during a traffic stop.
‘If you are on the LEIN channel it takes you out of the loop from the main channel,? Kitzens said. ‘On that aspect, it’s somewhat of a safety concern.?
Let’s say, Kitzens had a citizen pulled over on Main Street and was checking the driver’s information on the radio. He has to remain on the channel until the information sought is received.
‘A (police) chase could be coming through town and I wouldn’t know about it.? In fact, in the early 1970’s, Henry Wolf, an Oak Park officer was killed in that manner.
Kitzens said the PDA is proving itself useful already for the Clarkston police.
On its first day on the job, Kitzens used the PDA within three hours.
‘It aided in finding an improper plated vehicle that should not have been on the road.?
‘It’s cutting edge,? Kitzens said, of the PDA technology. ‘We’ve made it into the 21st century even with limited funding.? Kitzens, who has been with Clarkston Police for four years, said he was able to work out deals with local vendors to purchase and run the equipment, but is not releasing a dollar amount.
‘It’s an invaluable tool. I mean look at the size of it.?
Police Chief Ernest Combs asked the City Council at their June 23 meeting that revenues from preliminary breath tests and fingerprinting be earmarked for special police items, specifically for special projects such as the PDA. The city’s Finance Committee will review the funds to meet the request.