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IACP in Review: Law Enforcement Anticipation Builds for FirstNet Network

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October 26, 2016
Thanks to the San Diego Police Department and Chief Shelley Zimmerman for their hospitality, as well to the IACP for their continued partnership and the opportunity to engage with their membership.
Thanks to the San Diego Police Department and Chief Shelley Zimmerman for their hospitality, as well to the IACP for their continued partnership and the opportunity to engage with their membership.

By Mike Bostic, FirstNet Senior Law Enforcement Advisor

During my first few months as FirstNet’s Senior Law Enforcement Advisor, I have seen a renewed commitment to and excitement about the possibilities and promise of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) for the nation’s law enforcement personnel. The feedback we have received from organizations and individuals has been both encouraging and actionable as we continue to plan for deployment of the NPSBN.    

Recently, our team – which includes several current and former law enforcement officers– engaged with the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the Major Cities Chiefs’ Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).  FirstNet Chair Sue Swenson, Board members Chief Chris Burbank, Sheriff Rich Stanek, and President TJ Kennedy took advantage of many opportunities to brief the those audiences about the progress and benefits of the NPSBN, as well as how their members can continue to participate and engage with FirstNet.

Discussion highlighted the progress of FirstNet and answered questions on several fronts, including the State Plan process, rural coverage, priority and preemption, early builder projects, the potential application ecosystem, connecting current data systems used daily by public safety, and network security.

“Technology is changing police work, allowing us to leverage social media and share data faster,” said Sheriff Stanek. “Mobile devices have become a standard part of our daily and emergency operations, and we need to be able to transmit large amounts of data and rely on communications that don’t fail during emergencies.”

One of public safety’s biggest pioneers, Chief Harlin McEwen, recently passed the IACP Communications Committee Chair to Amtrak Deputy Police Chief Eddie Reyes.  FirstNet congratulates Chief McEwen for his years of service and looks forward to Chief Reyes’ infectious enthusiasm for public safety communications in the years to come.  We also look forward to continue working with Chief McEwen as the Chair of FirstNet’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC).

Also at IACP, TJ Kennedy moderated a panel, “Real World Uses of Public Safety Long Term Evolution (LTE),” featuring a high level of engagement from the audience, with participants providing their input about and experiences with public safety broadband.

We were pleased to have Director of Consultation Dave Buchanan participate in many of these IACP discussions, and FirstNet Tribal Advisors Margaret Muhr and Adam Geisler were also on hand at the Indian Country Law Enforcement Section committee meeting.  They had the opportunity to brief its membership on FirstNet’s continued commitment to Indian Country.  

Thanks to the San Diego Police Department and Chief Shelley Zimmerman for their hospitality, as well to the IACP for their continued partnership and the opportunity to engage with their membership. It was encouraging to see so much innovation and technology live on the expo floor, and enjoy the enthusiasm in the law enforcement community about FirstNet.

Thanks,

Mike

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