Posted on Fri, Apr. 25, 2008

The Surfside Police Department is going high-tech.

Within a week or so, the department will receive two dozen laptop computers -- each equipped with software that will allow patrol officers to communicate digitally with headquarters. The laptops are expected to save time, increase efficiency and stop a flood of paperwork.

With the new computers, officers will be able to track tag numbers more quickly while searching for drivers with expired licenses, registrations and outstanding warrants.

Police Chief Dave Allen said the laptops will eliminate the time it takes officers to manually enter information into the records while writing up reports. And the laptops will make it unnecessary to call dispatchers back at the station.

''Each laptop will be equipped with a new records-management software program that replaces the department's outdated system -- so instead of coming back to the station [officers] will now complete and submit reports directly into the laptops,'' Allen said.

When the new technology is installed, 28 Hewlett Packard laptops and mobile data software, which cost $89,700 -- or roughly $3,200 per officer -- will be linked to a high-speed connection accessible throughout Miami-Dade County. The computers also can be linked to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Tallahassee and national crime databases.

''The problem with the old system is officers had to wait several minutes or so before getting anything on a vehicle -- sometimes longer if dispatch was taking other calls,'' said Allen. ``Now everything will be much faster.''

The department's laptop project manager, Detective Joe Matthews, said the laptops also will feature a unique safety device: the software will allow officers to give simple verbal commands, instead of typing and having to look down at the keyboard -- reducing the chances of a mishap.

In another move designed to update the department's technology, officers in recent months purchased an e-citation machine, which will eliminate paperwork in issuing traffic tickets, for its motor unit officer, Joe Schaefer.

''The system is beneficial, because it eliminates re-keying driver information two or three times,'' he said. ''I clear traffic stops faster, so it's safer on the road for me and other drivers,'' Schaefer said.

Other additions to the department: all-terrain vehicles and bicycles, used for patrolling the beach and residential areas, plus officer-survival and firearms training.

''The better equipment and training practices fit into a plan of professionalizing the department so officers will better serve the residents and community,'' Allen said.

Other changes also are in the works:

• Officers are working 12-hour shifts instead of eight, which puts four officers on the street versus the traditional three.

• Orlando Laso has been promoted from sergeant to lieutenant, and Rory Alberto will take Laso's place as sergeant. Three people joined the department's support staff.

• Tabatha Washington and Stephanie McHugh were hired as dispatchers, and Dina Goldstein is the new criminal operations assistant, responsible for analyzing crime trends.

Goldstein will compare Surfside's data with crimes from other communities.