New dispatch software could change policing in The Dalles

Worthy unveiled the new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and records management system (RMS), a significant update to the region’s emergency response infrastructure for the first time in decades.

The project, approved unanimously at the April 28 city council meeting and April 16 county board meeting, involves three intergovernmental agreements between the City of The Dalles, Wasco County, and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue District.

“This project has truly been a team sport,” said Worthy, highlighting extensive cooperation between city and county law enforcement, fire services, and IT departments. “It couldn’t work without everybody agreeing, compromising, and working together towards a shared goal.”

“The time and effort put into this with all three entities, including the fire department, as well as the county sheriff’s department and city police, is very commendable,” said Councilor Rod Runyon.

Outdated programs posed safety risks

The updated CAD and RMS systems will be provided by ProPhoenix Corporation, which Worthy noted was his department’s first choice for features and user-friendliness.

“Interestingly enough, they were also the lowest-cost proposed bidder,” Worthy said. “When does that ever happen? Never. But in this case, it did, and we’re fortunate.”

The implementation will replace severely outdated systems, some components of which have been in place since 1999, presenting ongoing operational risks.

“The risk of doing nothing, from a public safety standpoint, really outweighs the risk of going forward,” he said.

The new CAD system streamlines dispatch by efficiently managing and coordinating responses to emergency calls, allowing dispatchers to prioritize incidents, assign resources, and track personnel in real-time. The RMS component will manage extensive law enforcement data, including incident reports, arrest records, and evidence tracking.

Paying for the upgrade

Financial contributions for the system are split based on usage, with The Dalles covering roughly 58.4% of costs. The total projected investment for initial setup, including software, data conversion, and hosting will be approximately $1,304,216.18, with $762,130.3 coming from the city.

$13,340.00 to convert data from the current system;

$403,541.27 for the initial set up and running the new CAD/RMS services; and

$345,249.03 to cover CAD/RMS services for financial years 2026-31.

The intergovernmental agreements also set out clear responsibilities and financial contributions for all parties, updating a previous arrangement dating back to 1997. An advisory committee, including the city manager and chief of police, will oversee the new dispatch center operations.

Worthy identified potential project challenges, noting “scope creep” as a significant risk, which could lead to budget overruns if not carefully managed. He outlined best and worst-case implementation timelines ranging from 11 months to two years, depending on factors such as software integration with state databases.

More information accessibility, transparency

Once operational, the CAD/RMS upgrade promises significant community benefits, including transparent public access to crime data and improved preparedness for law enforcement.

“Citizens can look up crime data online,” Worthy explained. “Draw a polygon on the map and see all the cases we’ve made there. That looks like success to me.”

The system will also enhance the efficiency of daily law enforcement operations, potentially reducing long-term costs despite the initial financial outlay. Annual maintenance costs will stabilize at around $100,000 per year following the initial investment period.

“The better you plan a project, the more likely you are to execute it appropriately,” Worthy concluded. “We intend to get this right.”