Raytheon to upgrade LASD’s motorcycle fleet

Raytheon has begun installation of laptops on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) motorcycles in a bid to provide enhanced level of public safety and efficiency capabilities.

The installation follows a previously awarded contract to Raytheon to equip 100 motorcycles with new, lightweight computers in saddle bags by this fall.

The new upgrade enables the personnel to better serve communities by accessing data for license plate checks, wanted person inquiries and access to other law enforcement information from the computers with enhanced efficiency.

LASD Captain Scott Edson said that the laptops will be used to issue electronic citations in a short period of time for deputies to better serve the public.

"An added benefit is reduced voice radio traffic, a critical lifeline for all law enforcement officers," Edson added.

Raytheon’s Network Centric Systems business director of Public Safety and Security TJ Kennedy said,"These computers have many of the same capabilities as those we’re installing in thousands of LASD vehicles, and the evidence is there that they are already paying major dividends."

The company is also replacing dispatch consoles in Los Angeles County to enable the sheriff and fire departments to be more responsive to communities, while ensuring enhanced efficiency and low maintenance costs.