The NLCRPD has been awarded a total of $59,999.00 in grant funding to implement an innovative technology platform within the agency. The addition of this technology to the existing NLCRPD technical framework also allows greater agency accountability, risk management, and training in line with the pillars of policing into the 21st century. The NLCRPD is a Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) accredited agency and credentialed by the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ). The Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department (NLCRPD) provides primary full police services as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for over 42,600 residents of the Townships of Clay, Penn, Warwick, and the Borough of East Petersburg.

The (NLCRPD) provides a current operational and sustainable technology foundation deigned by the NLCRPD to assure continued advancement of technology related initiatives within the NLCRPD. This includes the utilization of body worn camera (BWC) systems, mobile vehicle recorder (MVR), interview room digital video/audio recording systems (DVARS), Live Scan – CPIN – booking area recording (DVARS) systems, and aerial remote vehicle (ARV) systems, all of which are integrated into a single data/evidence management platform offered by an industry leader in technology for policing identified as AXON. All of these platforms are linked to the cloud-based AXON – Evidence.com evidence management platform.

This provides secure storage and authorized leveled access to the data collected. The proposed progression for use of technology continuing forward by the addition of three additional capabilities. NLCRPD intends to implement a subscription based virtual reality training (VR) package offered by AXON to enhance the agency training function across a variety of disciplines , including de-escalation, crisis intervention, and other socially impactful areas of forward looking socially responsible best police practices. These approved training scenarios created by a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts (SME) are updated frequently by AXON providing a trackable scenario and record of police training by event, duration, and includes specifically defined metrics for tracking and uniform retention of agency training focus and outcomes. This plan can be seamlessly integrated into the existing NLCRPD Power DMS training and policy management software for accurate recording and retention of officer training records. NLCRPD currently requires all in house training provided by the agency to meet the requirements of written lesson plans, which are retained and merged into the broader agency training focus on use of force, persons in crisis, de-escalation, and other emergent areas of concern related to police – public interface. Utilization of the (VR) subscription-based training provides for effective training applications without large infrastructure and staffing requirements and can be applied with minimal impacts on agency resources.

Another key area of technology utilization by NLCRPD has resulted in the increased reliance upon the (ARV) to facilitate and enhance effectiveness of NLCRPD investigations and on scene management of both critical and emergent incidents. This information is exported to other automated applications currently in use by NLCRPD for accident reconstruction, animation, and three-dimensional graphics, and other applications. Initial phase implementation and agency experience has determined the next logical step is the addition of a second (ARV) with both infra-red (IR) and thermal imagery. The addition of these features enhances the NLCRPD response capability and supplements the existing program by serving as a technology multiplier of technology and services already in place by the NLCRPD. The final prong of this plan is the acquisition by the NLCRPD of a stationary (ARV) platform manufactured by AXON that is tethered to a portable technology platform allowing the (ARV) to attain a maximum height of 150 feet and hover and transmit live imagery for an indefinite time interval. This provides the NLCRPD with a force multiplier which is effective across a wide array of public safety disciplines and one which can be rapidly deployed to aid in crime suppression and prevention. To provide a better understanding of the elements of the NLCRPD program, we encourage readers to view the attached PDF file depicting the various stages of the interfaced platform design.