LOS ANGELES : Police Panel OKs Plan to Buy Computers, Hire Staff
The Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday approved a plan to use $18.3 million in anticipated federal funds to upgrade the department’s 1960s-vintage technology to state of the art.
“As technology increases and improves, we’ll become more efficient,” Chief Willie L. Williams said. “That translates into more personnel that can be utilized specifically for uniform field operations, for investigatory operations.”
The City Council must now approve the application, scheduled to be considered Friday.
The federal money would be earmarked for modern computer and video conference systems, and for the hiring of 180 civilian workers. The upgraded technology would bring the Los Angeles Police Department “into the 21st Century,” Williams said.
City experts estimated that the upgraded technology and civilian hires would free 862 officers for field duty.
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