Research: mobile data terminals?

[StreetHawk]

I have a question about MDT's. Say you pull somebody over. you enter the actor's info into the MDT. Do you also have to tell Dispatch the actors info? Basicly, im just wonderin how much talkin to dispatch is eliminated by the MDT's cuz i know that dispatch shouldnt have to tell you of priors or anything like that cuz the MDT's give you access to the NCIC database.

[Stump]

Hi Streethawk,
For a dispatcher, the MDT's are a god-send. The officers can do their own "rolling 28's" (run plates while driving) plus pull up driver's license info, etc. It helps tremendously with dispatchers.
*this applies to my county only - I don't know what it is like in other counties * Normally, when officers pull someone over, they can make up their own job card on the MDT, or call out with it. Most of mine prefer to call out the job so their cohorts know where they are. They also call the plate number out, which I run and look at. If there is unusual circumstances (like a warrant hit, or other standout info), I get them a backup, and ask if they "copied the data on the 29 (warrant )". No, I shouldn't HAVE to give out that info, but a good dispatcher will watch the officer's back and make sure they are aware of any possible risks. I do not ask the citizens driver license info - all I prefer (but it is not mandatory) is the plate number.
Unfortunately, the MDT screens are small and hard to read. Plus most of the officers don't know how to do some of the "fancy stuff" like running an out of state plate, out of state license, etc. With the MDT's , they can send me a message and ask me to run it. I get it for them and send it to them - all without having to tie up precious airtime.
MDT's also help when I want to give out info that is not for the public's ears. It is a wonderful communications tool.

[speterson]

That was some good insight about the MDT's. I listen to the scanner all the time when I'm at home and noticed that the officers are always calling in thier 28's. Do you think that the MDT's are the reason that I have to take Microcomputer Applications as a class for the quest of my CJ degree?

[Stump]

No, I don't think that is why you have to take that course in school. MDT's use their own program, which isn't like a regular computer. We have gotten some new MDT's, which run off of a Windows program (and are touch screens), which is slightly more like a computer, but still different.