Fort Worth Police Department
2015 Annual Report
Service with respect.
Dedicated to protect.
Table of Contents
Message from the Chief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Change of Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Department Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Crime Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Crime Control & Prevention District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2015 Department Initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
National & Local Partnerships ……………………...14
Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Message from the Chief
On behalf of the dedicated members of the Fort Worth Police Department, I am proud to present to you the 2015 Annual Report. This report is a reflection of the department’s hard work and commitment to make Fort Worth one of the safest cities in the nation and showcases the progress we have made in making Fort Worth a great place to work, play, and live. On October 20, 2015 I was privileged to be sworn in as the Chief of Police of Fort Worth. By accepting this honor, I hope to bring changes and focus on community-oriented policing to provide the best service and continue to improve relationships within our community. In March 2015, it was announced that Fort Worth was chosen as one of six pilot sites for the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice, a groundbreaking study with the Department of Justice. The aim of this study is to build trust between communities and their local law enforcement. This partnership will help strengthen the relationship between our department and the citizens we serve. The Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex was formally opened in September 2015 to serve as the joint headquarters of the Fort Worth Police and Fire Departments. This state-of-the-art facility which consists of 500,000 square feet of indoor training space was built to replace aging facilities and help meet the demands of the city’s public safety departments. It is an honor to work with dedicated and professional staff within the Fort Worth Police Department. Their dutiful efforts and service are reflected throughout this report. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Joel F. Fitzgerald
Chief of Police
1
Change of Command
On October 20, 2015, Chief Fitzgerald was formally sworn in as Fort Worth’s Police Chief. He replaced Chief Rhonda K. Robertson who was promoted to Chief January 2015 while the City conducted a national search after former Chief Jeffery Halstead announced his retirement in November of 2014. Chief Robertson retired in December of 2015 after being with the Police Department for 30 years. Fitzgerald became Chief of Police in Allentown, PA., in December 2013. He served as Chief in Missouri City, Texas, from 2009-2013 and in various command ranks in the Philadelphia Police Department between 1992 and 2009. Fitzgerald earned the 2010 NAACP President’s Award for Community Policing and numerous honors for exceptional service during his career, including 17 commendations, a Police Officer of the Year Award and honors from U.S. Rep. Al Green and the Texas State House of Representatives. Chief Fitzgerald holds a Ph.D. in business administration, a Master’s of Business Administration in Executive Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. He serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Forensics Committee and the Northcentral University School of Business and Technology Program Advisory Committee.
Chief Joel F. Fitzgerald
Chief Rhonda K. Robertson
Chief Launches New Five-Year Strategic Planning Process
Upon the October 2015 arrival of Chief Fitzgerald, there were renewed internal discussions about creating a 2016-2021 Strategic Plan that resulted in the crea- tion of a new and diverse Strategic Plan Advisory Committee. In 2016, the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee will review and reassess prior focus areas for feasibility and need and will determine if they are still suitable, or whether new or revised focus areas should move to the forefront of the new plan. The Strategic Plan will also incorporate pertinent sections and pillars from The President’s Task Force on 21 st Century Policing Report , the Justice Depart- ment’s National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice, The 3-E- Action Plan , innovative community oriented programs, and additional initia- tives derived from the new planning process. The plan will include direction on where the department is going in the next five years. It’s expected to be completed in the summer of 2016.
2
Department Overview
2015 Department Organization
Chief of Police
Finance/Personnel Bureau
Support Bureau
Patrol Bureau
Asst. Chief Pridgen
Asst. Chief Dean
Asst. Chief Kraus
FWPD Personnel As of December 31, 2015, the Fort Worth Police Department employed an authorized strength of 1,599 civil service and 461 civilian staff members. The number of authorized civil service positions are separated by rank in the chart below. In 2015, there was one officer for every 508 residents in Fort Worth.
170
47
3
5
15
220
1,139
Sergeants
Lieutenants
Assistant
Deputy
Captains
Corporals &
Officers
Chiefs
Chiefs
Detectives
3
Department Department Overview
2015 Patrol Divisions and Beats
Fort Worth includes more than 350 square miles and serves more than 812,000 residents. Patrol is currently divided into five divisions: North, East, South, West and Central. The five divisions and 81 patrol beats are displayed below.
4
Department Department Overview
2015 Calls for Service
Calls for Service Five-Year Trend
4%
Total Calls for Service 2011-2015
37% 37%
Priority 1 Calls 2011-2015
5
Crime Statistics
2015 Crime Summary
Percent of Total Crime by Type, 2015
The Fort Worth Police Department uses the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) to pro- vide a comprehensive and accurate summary of crim- inal activity in Fort Worth. With NIBRS, FWPD has the capability to generate crime reports that reflect interrelationships within the data, enhancing the abil- ity to analyze crime trends and implement successful prevention and tactical strategies. NIBRS data is compiled into detailed reports for two types of of- fenses: Group A offenses (crimes against persons, property, and society) and Group B offenses (disorderly conduct, driving under influence, tres- passing, etc.). Incidents and arrests are reported for Group A offenses, considered the most serious of- fenses, while only the number of arrests account for Group B offenses.
NIBRS Group B Offenses 19%
Crimes Against Persons 17%
Crimes Against Society 7%
Crimes Against Property 57%
A total of 71,694 offenses occurred in Fort Worth in 2015, a 7.1 percent decrease from 2014. The majority (57 percent) of the offenses were proper- ty-related, which declined 6.2 percent from 2014 to 2015. Crimes Against Persons accounted for 17 percent of all offenses with a 1.5 percent decrease from 2014.
Five-Year Crime Rate Trend
Number of Offenses
Population
14,000
840,000
12,000
820,000
10,000
800,000
8,000
780,000
6,000
760,000
4,000
740,000
2,000
0
720,000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
In 2015, 8,635 offenses occurred for every 100,000 residents. Since 2011, Fort Worth has experienced a 24.5 percent reduction in the crime rate, and a 9.1 percent increase in population.
6
Crime Statistics Crime Statistics
Crimes Against Persons Five-Year Crime Rate Trend per 100,000 Population
Decreased
9.36%
2011 to 2015
Crimes Against Persons include: Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Intimidation, Kidnapping/Abduction, Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter, Forcible Rape, Other Forcible Sex Offenses, and Nonforcible Sex Offenses
Crimes Against Property Five-Year Crime Rate Trend per 100,000 Population
Decreased
5.6%
2011 to 2015
Crimes Against Property include: Arson, Bribery, Burglary, Counterfeiting/Forgery, Destruction/Damage/Vandalism, Embezzlement, Extortion/Blackmail, Fraud Offenses, Larceny/Theft Offenses, Motor Vehicle Theft, Robbery, and Stolen Property Offenses
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Crime Statistics
Gang-Related Crime
Gang-related crime is any criminal act including, but not limited to, those involving gang members or associates that are committed for the benefit or furtherance of any criminal gang.
1,274
1,053
Decreased
735
733
Gang Related Offenses
48.6%
655
2011 to 2015
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
In 2015, there was a total of 655 gang-related offenses in Fort Worth, a 48.6 percent decrease from 2011. Gang-related crime occurred most frequently in the South Patrol Division with 24 percent of gang crimes in 2015. West Patrol Division experienced the least amount of gang-related crime citywide with 11 percent.
Gang-Related Crime by Division, 2015
West 11%
Central 22%
South 24%
East 21%
North 22%
8
Crime Control and Prevention District
The City of Fort Worth utilizes the Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD), a voter-approved half-cent sales tax, to fund crime prevention tools and programs. In response to Fort Worth having historically-high crime rates throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the CCPD was approved in 1995 to enhance FWPD’s ability to create and maintain a safe environment through efficient, quality service, and strong community partnerships. The CCPD is overseen by a nine-member board of directors that establishes the annual budget, manages expenditures, and evaluates all programs funded by the district.
The revenue from the half-cent sales tax funds 40 programs and critical resources to effectively combat and prevent crime in Fort Worth. The total CCPD budget in FY2015 was $68,374,777.
FY2015 CCPD Funding Allocation
Total Budget = $68,374,777
Enhanced Enforcement
Recruitment and Training
Equipment, Technology, and Infrastructure
Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Partners with a Shared Mission
$18,810,326
$3,956,726
$29,121,099
$11,878,456
$4,608,172
New Police Heliport—Funded by the Crime Control and Prevention District
The new Heliport, funded by the Crime Control and Prevention Dis- trict, is located at Meacham International Airport and has the ability to house multiple air crafts. It replaces a dilapidated facility located at 1400 Nixon St. that was opened in 1973 and had many structural integrity issues. The new Heliport represents a major advancement for Police Air Operations in our City from a facility modernization and efficiency improvement.
9
Department Initiatives—Operations
Sixth Patrol Division Realignment Analysis
Due to rapid population growth and an increase in land area north of 820 over the last 15 years, response times have significantly increased in the North Patrol Division. The Fort Worth Po- lice Department (FWPD) is currently divided into five patrol divisions with the North Patrol Division serving the largest area with 125.7 square miles and the largest estimated popula- tion with 275,900 people. In response to the growth, FWPD began a sixth patrol division boundary realignment and staffing analysis in 2015. The purpose of a sixth patrol division is to improve police service, reduce response times, and create stronger community-police partnerships in this rapidly-growing area. The following factors were analyzed during the development of the proposed new division boundaries. Neighborhood organization boundaries Geography/physical barriers Access Projected growth of new subdivisions and other development. Calls for service
Proposed Six Patrol Division Boundary Map
The new sixth patrol division is approximately 77 square miles and will serve an estimated population of 170,900. Once the boundaries were approved, staff applied the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) staffing study methodology using 2014 calls for service data and the proposed six patrol division configura- tion. In October 2014, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) completed a staffing study for the Fort Worth Police Department. The PERF study provided recommendations for all sworn and civilian staffing. Staff was able to use the same patrol staffing model used in the PERF study but with updated calls for service data and with the six patrol division configuration. Additionally, staff used information from the PERF study and a projected growth factor to determine citywide staffing needs when a new sixth division is implemented. Staff developed a three year plan, outlining the number of authorized positions needed each year. In 2015, 25 positions were approved in the budget to begin the process to increase staffing in support of the Sixth Patrol Division.
10
Department Initiatives—Operations
Sixth Patrol Division Facility
Fort Worth added approximately 135,000 people and 39 square miles north of Loop 820 since 2000. Since population and development continue to increase at a rapid pace, the City of Fort Worth sought proposals in 2015 to build a new police patrol division facility in the area. Fort Worth is currently divided into five patrol divisions. The existing North Patrol Division headquarters is located south of Loop 820 with two small po- lice facilities north of Loop 820. The closest patrol division facility to areas north of Loop 820 is located at 4651 N. Main Street, which requires police personnel to travel longer distances to reach assigned patrol are- as. Calls for service response times are highest in the far northern portions of Fort Worth. The City is plan- ning to realign the patrol division boundaries and create a sixth division that the proposed facility would serve. The purpose of the new facility is to improve customer service and enhance community partnerships. Land and a design-build contract is expected to be procured in the spring of 2016. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2017. This facility project is funded by the Crime Control and Prevention District.
Proposed Six Patrol Divisions and Facilities
Current Patrol Divisions and Facilities
Proposed area for new patrol facility
11
Department Initiatives—Operations
COPS Hiring Grant In Action Sixth Patrol Division Special Response Team & Real-Time Crime Center Established
The Real Time Crime Center assists the department with providing real-time information, support, tips, leads, and monitoring, thereby delivering a proactive approach to law enforcement in developing and dy- namic situations. The RTCC performs supplemental investigative work, providing data-mining support to detectives in complex cases, especially cold cases where additional in-depth research may find clues not available by other means. Ultimately, the RTCC will engage in information-sharing with potential regional partners and neighboring agencies to pro- vide cross-jurisdictional support.
In September 2014, the City of Fort Worth was awarded a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Grant in the amount of $1.86M to increase the Fort Worth Police Department’s author- ized strength by a total of 15 positions over a three year period—10 positions to create a 6th Division Special Response Team and 5 positions to establish a Real-Time Crime Center. The Crime Control and Prevention District provided a total of $1.46M in match funding in support of the initiative. In April 2015, a total of ten positions graduated from a lateral class that were then used in Patrol— enabling five more senior positions to be dedicated to establishing the FWPD’s first ever Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) and five to be dedicated to- wards the creation of the 6th Division Special Re- sponse Team (SRT). The remaining five SRT posi- tions started the lateral transfer academy class in July and completed field training in the fall of 2015 to complete the team.
Real Time Crime Center
The SRT Section, in the Tactical Operations Divi- sion, previously consisted of five teams, each con- taining eight officers, one detective/corporal, and one sergeant. SRT Section personnel effectively and efficiently act as crime suppression officers. In dynamic situations and special events, SRT teams
will work closely with the RTCC, creating in- creased intelligence capacity and infor- mation-sharing, flow- ing from the RTCC centralized hub to the field and back.
Sixth Patrol Division-New Special Response Team
12
Department Initiatives—Operations
Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex
The new state-of-the-art Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex (PSC) opened in full in May. The facility located at 505 W. Felix Street in south Fort Worth replaces the former police and fire training academy on Calvert Street north of downtown and also includes Police and Fire Administrative offices. The complex consists of two pre-World War II warehouses that have been repur- posed into 500,000 square feet of indoor training space. The new joint Po- lice & Fire administration building is 61,054 square feet. The facility ena- bles the Police Department to modernize, enhance, and expand training ca- pacity to be prepared for real life situations.
PSC Training Technology and Equipment
Some features of the new training facility include:
Indoor firing range including a 50-yard tactical range, 25-yard tactical range, 100-yard rifle range, and a small 25-year range for individual training. ($10M Weapons Range was funded by CCPD.) 30,000 square foot indoor tactical training mock village which simulates a city streetscape, a school, a bank, a residential building, a gas station, an office, and an apartment. Emergency vehicle driving course 40 acres of outdoor training space Numerous classrooms for recruits and in-service classes 8-story fire training building Dive training facility
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in September 2015. Ceremony speakers included Mayor Betsy Price, Councilmember Ann Zadeh, Assistant City Manager Valerie Washington, and the Fort Worth Police Chief and Fire Chief. The complex is named in memory of Bob Bolen, the longest-serving mayor of Fort Worth. Members of the Bob Bolen family attended the ceremony.
13
Department Initiatives—National and Local Partnerships
Fort Worth Chosen as Pilot Site for National Initiative
On March 12, 2015, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. in Washington D.C. announced on behalf of the Na- tional Initiative partners and the U.S. Department of Justice, that Fort Worth was selected as one of six pilot sites of the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice (National Initiative). The five other selected sites are: Birmingham, AL, Gary, IN, Minneapolis, MN, Pittsburgh, PA, and Stockton, CA. The National Initiative is a multifaceted approach to enhance community trust and help repair and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities served. This three year initiative will explore, advance and disseminate information about strategies intended to enhance procedural justice, reduce implicit bias, and support racial reconciliation. The U.S. Department of Justice partnered with a consortium of national law enforcement experts including John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Yale Law School, the Center for Policing Equity at UCLA and the Ur- ban Institute to lead this effort. For more information, please visit http://trustandjustice.org.
Project Safe Neighborhood
FWPD continued to partner with the Safe City Commission, federal law enforcement agencies, and local non-profit organizations to bring the Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) program back to Fort Worth in 2015. The program, managed by the Safe City Commission, is designed to create safer neighborhoods and to reduce gun and gang violence by employing a research-driven, intelligence-led, and problem-solving ap- proach to crime prevention. The 2015 PSN program resulted in a reduction in overall crime statistics in the program’s focus areas. The PSN program also helps fund vari- ous community-driven programs geared towards positive interactions between law enforcement and the community for educational and informational purposes. In 2015, the PSN grant provide the Fort Worth Police Department with $41,674 in over- time details and $41,771 for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment.
Project Safe Neighborhood Partnerships
Safe City Commission, One Safe Place
Tarrant County Community Corrections
Fort Worth Police Department
Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office
Texas Christian University
Tarrant County Juvenile Services
Attorney General of Texas
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas
Crime Stoppers
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms &
Fort Worth Housing Authority
Explosives
Santa Fe Youth Services
14
Department Initiatives—Community
The Fort Worth Police Department is fortunate to have numerous volunteers, partnerships, and support from throughout the community. Our daily operations would not be possible without the dedication of residents who participate in various FWPD programs including Citizens on Patrol, Code Blue, Code Blue in the Schools, Ministers Against Crime, Community Emergency Response Team, Clergy and Police Alliance to name a few. We would like to thank everyone who dedicate their time and service to FWPD and the commu- nity. Below are a few key volunteer and community events that occurred in 2015.
Citizens on Patrol Appreciation
An appreciation luncheon was held in March for Citizens on Patrol volunteers and their spouses. The annual lunch at Will Rogers Memorial Center is an opportunity to give thanks to the hundreds of volunteers that assist the Police Department with pa- trolling Fort Worth’s neighborhoods, schools, and other areas of the community. The theme of the 2015 luncheon was Fiesta.
Northside High School Care Closet Unveiled
The FWPD and Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) cele- brated the grand opening of the third care closet at Northside High School. Two other care closets began operating at Arlington Heights and Eastern Hills high schools in 2013. The Care Closets offer free, basic necessities, including clothing, toiletries, and school supplies, to homeless and underprivileged students.
City Launches OneAddress Search one address, find everything. The City launched OneAddress November of 2015, a tool that aims to make government data freely and publicly available for anyone to use. This enhancement of the city’s open data program is expected to increase transparency and accountabil- ity; boost resident engagement; and spur economic development. All of this data can be accessed at oneaddress.fortworthtexas.gov.
FWPD social media breaks 170,00 followers Followers on FWPD social media sites increased significantly in 2015 with more than 107,000 followers on Facebook and more than 63,000 on Twitter. Follow FWPD on these social media sites for the latest news and events. @fortworthpd
To learn more about FWPD volunteer programs and how to get involved, please visit: http://www.fortworthpd.com/get-involved/Default.aspx
15
Department Initiatives—Personnel
The men and women of the Fort Worth Police Department work tirelessly everyday to provide exceptional customer service and present solutions to various community challenges. Their dedication and sacrifice to our community cannot be appreciated enough. We are one of the safest cities in the United States because of the work our personnel accomplish each and every day. We were excited to welcome new classes of police offic- ers to the FWPD family in 2015.
Two Lateral Classes Graduated in 2015
In 2015, FWPD began offering lateral transfer classes to existing police officers currently working in other jurisdictions. The lateral class provides an opportunity for officers who want to join the FWPD team an abbreviated training schedule. The first class grad- uated in February and the second class graduated in August. Each class consisted of ten officers.
Class 137 Graduated in September
The department graduated one recruit class in 2015. There were 31 recruits that graduated from Class 137 in September. Class 138 and Class 139 both started in 2015 but are still in session. Class 138 currently has 31 recruits and will graduate April 15, 2016. Class 139 has 39 recruits and will graduate in July.
Sgt. Shane Drake Presented with 2015 Star of Texas Award by Governor Abbott
To acknowledge the sacrifices of first responders, the State of Texas created the Star of Texas Award in 2003. This award honors those men and women who have been killed or have sustained serious injuries in the line of duty. Earlier this year, Sgt. Drake was shot in the line of duty when answering a wel- fare check call with his fellow officers. We are so proud of his courage and commitment to our great city.
For more information on how to become a Fort Worth Police Department officer, please visit: http://www.fortworthpd.com/Recruiting/
16
Department Initiatives—Technology
More Body Cameras Deployed The Fort Worth Police Department is one of the nation’s leaders in the use of body camera technology. The Department began using body cameras to increase transparency and to improve the public’s trust in law enforcement. Body worn cameras also assist with officer safety, situational awareness and evidence in trials. Since the Fort Worth Police Department began the implementation of body cameras, no civil suits have been awarded against the City for incidents captured on video. As of December 2015, the City of Fort Worth had deployed a total of 595 body cameras.
The City of Fort Worth uses the Axon Flex camera, which is a small device with advanced technical maturity along with a secure and trackable evidence management system that is one of the most advanced web interface solution on the market. The Axon Flex camera platform connects to the cloud and provides officers with an end-to-end solution. Each kit consist of a box which includes the body camera device, a variety of mounts for wearable options, a pair of Oakley sunglasses to mount the camera, and a Wi-Fi based mobile phone device (without cellular ser- vice) equipped with the Evidence.com mobile application. The mobile phone allows the officers to review their videos taken from their body cameras, take still photos of crime scenes required by the District Attor- ney’s Office, and log all collected evidence onto evidence.com.
The mobile device provides additional protection to the officer, as it allows officers to mount the camera on their baton to search high-risk areas, such as attics, while displaying the search area on their mobile device. The camera is the lightest and smallest known in the industry to-date. In addition, the digital evidence management system allows the department to securely store and track any uploaded digital evi- dence.
Crime Lab Gets Hits on CODIS Database FWPD’s Crime Lab was granted access to the Combined DNA Index Sys- tem (CODIS) in December 2014. CODIS is a national database of DNA records that is used to search crime scene samples against convicted offend- ers and evidence from other crimes to provide investigative leads. Between December 2014 and December 2015, 112 profiles were entered into CODIS and 85 hits were obtained. There were also some changes in Texas legisla- tion last year, Senate Bill 1636, which required all older sexual assault cases to be entered into CODIS. The Crime Lab outsourced 137 of these cases to UNT and logs profiles that were worked by UNT and DPS. Last year they logged 232 of these non-Senate Bill cases. This means that 369 hits were logged last year on top of the 85 hits that were processed in-lab!
17
Department Initiatives—Technology
DNA Backlog Reduction The FWPD Crime Laboratory provides forensic services to both FWPD and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. In 2015, the Crime Lab pro- cessed 7,251 requests. This is a 20% increase from 2010, in which a total of 5,789 cases were processed. Due to the increased demand of requests and lim- itations within the Crime Lab, the number of backlogged cases increased from 439 to 724 in 2015. In October 2015, the Crime Lab was awarded the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Grant, which will help reduce the backlog. The grant is intended to assist State and local governments to in- crease the capacity of public forensic DNA laboratories to process more DNA samples, thereby helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA samples awaiting analysis. The FWPD was awarded $256,444 towards a new Vacuum Centrifugal Concentrator and Accessories, DNA Sample Management and Quality Assurance Software, workshops, and a Lean Six Sigma Study. The Lean Six Sigma Study will identify efficiencies which is inherent in the pro- duction system to create a process where sample/evidence flow through the laboratory in a proficient manner. The study will be complete in September 2016 and the Crime Lab plans to implement recommended changes into their processes.
Grant Funded Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Project Launched
On September 15, 2015, the City Council authorized the acquisition of a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) system to support the Police Department’s computer labs located at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex. This facility includes two computer labs, one dedicated to recruit training (State of Texas required T.C.O.L.E. testing) and the other to be used for computer-related training for Police employees. Virtual desktops allow for ease of software & hardware management, support, lower total cost of ownership, and much lower energy usage than those of typical desktop hardware components. Rather than having approxi- mately fifty (50) separate/individual PC's to equip the computer labs; VDI solutions have proven to help save time and money, provide greater defense against catastrophic failure, improve update speeds, such as Mi- crosoft Windows security updates; which are mandated by the FBI’s CJIS Security Policy, various Police- specific software updates, and provide an easy way to customize desktops for certain users or groups of us- ers. Additionally, this solution provides scalability, allowing for the potential expanded use in the Jail or other appropriate areas where multiple shared devices are needed. Furthermore, the system provides replication of environments, allowing Police, Fire, & Emergency Operations personnel the harness the capability of spin- ning up virtual desktops for use in a natural disaster or other critical incident in the current Emergency Oper- ations Center (EOC), or for use in a temporary EOC.
This project was grant funded ($210,000) through the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program.
18
Department Initiatives—Technology
Communication Division Sets the Bar for Quality Assurance
The duties and responsibilities of personnel accepting and pro- cessing emergency calls from the public have grown exponen- tially over recent years, and the lack of sufficient technological equipment and software negatively impacts the overall quality of service that can be provided. Recognizing this, the Fort Worth Police Department’s Communication Division has worked diligently since 2012 to secure funding to install a new digital audio recording system, as well as, software to assist with quality assurance.
Phase I replaced a 2003 digital recording system that was experiencing several outages due to equipment fail- ure that caused loss both in radio and phone recordings. These recordings are required to be archived and re- tained for a minimum of one year and available for investigative and open records purposes. Funding for Phase I was obtained through the City’s IT department and was completed in 2014. Phase II of the Communication Division’s Quality Assurance project was completed in 2015 and enables the Department to comply with new best practice quality assurance and audio logging standards. The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) announced new ANSI-approved Standard for the Establishment of a Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) Program defining the minimum components and best practices of a QA/QI program within a public safety communications center. The recommended requirements are intended to ensure a consistent, effective and efficient level of service and a standard process for all tele- communicators to ensure call taking and radio dispatch actions are delivered at the highest possible standard. The Fort Worth Police Department’s Communication Division is now one of the leaders in the industry, and is participating in national webinars to showcase its practices.
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FWPD
Department Overview
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