New platform will connect existing police records and investigative data while operating under department-controlled access and sharing protocols.
The Plant City Police Department is getting a Peregrine Operations Management system through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that will work alongside the department’s existing systems and bring police data together in one place.
Police Chief Richard Mills presented the platform during the November commission meeting, where residents raised concerns about privacy and how the department’s information would be used and shared.
Currently, PCPD relies on multiple systems and data sources, requiring officers to access and search each one separately.
The new platform will not replace existing systems. Instead, it is designed to help officers access relevant information faster when working on cases and share information with participating agencies when requested and approved.
During the presentation, Mills explained that Peregrine will use information already collected and maintained by the department. The system will not introduce new data collection. Information also will not be automatically shared with other agencies, as external access requires approval.
How it works
PCPD’s current systems and data sources include computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records, police reports, body camera videos and 911 call records. License plate reader data will not be integrated into the system at this time.
Once implemented, Peregrine will connect these systems and data sources through one secure interface rather than requiring officers to access each one individually.
The goal is to give officers more context about a situation before and after responding to calls. It will also assist with investigations by helping officers identify patterns, insights and connections within developing cases.
The platform will help link individuals to vehicles, locations and other historical records.
Mills said that when officers search each database individually, certain patterns and information may go unnoticed. The new platform is intended to help officers identify those connections during investigations.
By bringing the department’s data together, the system can generate maps, dashboards, trends, analysis and recurring reports.
When crime crosses jurisdictional boundaries, the department can share data with other participating jurisdictions in real time, with approval. The system does not provide open-ended external access, and information sharing must be authorized.
Each user will have a username and password to access information they are authorized to view. The department will also conduct internal audits every 30 days.
Funding
The total cost for the operational system is $271,352. After the initial two-year term, the estimated cost will be $135,676 per year.
Peregrine is also eligible for grant funding because PCPD participates in the 287(g) program. Through its participation in the federal immigration enforcement program, the department qualifies for grant eligibility. This does not mean the department will implement new immigration protocols.
Under the grant process, commissioners must first approve and pay an eligible amount. Supporting documents will then be reviewed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to ensure they meet the award conditions before the city is reimbursed.
This information was provided through Mills’ presentation during the Nov. 9 commission meeting.
