UHP Utilizing State-Of-The-Art Crime Fighting

The first quarter of 2003 saw the culmination of what had been an nine year quest to equip all Utah Highway Patrol troopers with state of the art technology. All UHP vehicles along the Wasatch Front have the ability to receive and transmit data via a wireless connection, and do many other different functions from issuing citations to typing reports. This ability is enabling troopers to access all state and federal criminal justice information as well as communicate with other law enforcement agencies.

The addition of notebook computers coupled with the FatPot Public Safety Suite software is providing many benefits including the reduction of obligated time by more than 39 percent. (A study was done by Dr. Bruce Handley, Weber State University). This increases the amount of time that troopers have for providing customer service and enforcing traffic laws.

The software, which was developed in cooperation with the UHP, is currently being used by many other police agencies. These agencies are "uploading" their data to a cemtra; data center. This data is now being electronically shared with other local, state, and federal agencies.

The system provides Web access to many necessary reports and provides management with statistical information including graphing. This gives them the ability to use real time data to identify trends and develop effective strategies for dealing with problem areas.

Governor Leavitt using the in-car technology to
issue a citation. (March 2003)