Summit on Implementing Wireless Communications: Perspectives on Interoperability from the Law Enforcement Community

Interoperability, or interagency communication, is an essential component of law enforcement operations. Effective emergency response requires coordination, communication, and sharing of information among several public safety agencies. Interagency communication enables public safety agencies to provide the necessary comprehensive, timely responses to a variety of potentially critical issues.

In May 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) convened a summit on Implementing Wireless Communications: Perspectives on Interoperability from the Law Enforcement Community. The summit brought together members of the federal government, leaders in the technology field, and more than 150 invited local and state government officials. In a plenary session, panel discussions, small group breakout sessions, and presentations by leaders in the field, attendees participated in open discussions about interoperability, what works well, what can be improved, and how the Department of Justice can provide appropriate assistance in the future.

To learn more about what was discussed at the summit, please download the following materials.

• Agenda
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• Final Summit Report
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Presentations:

COPS Interoperable Communications Technology Program
Mike Dame, COPS

Discussing the Challenges of Implementing Interoperable Infrastructure
Joseph Noce, Mesa (AZ) Police Department

High-Risk Metropolitan Interoperability Project: The 25 Cities Project
Timothy Ritter, Justice Management Division

Interoperability Cornerstones: The Interoperability Continuum Tool
Tom Coty, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Interoperability Cornerstones: Importance of Training, Exercises, and Nomenclature
Eddie Reyes, Alexandria (VA) Police Department

Interoperability Standards
Tom Coty, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Dereck Orr, National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIJ Interoperability Communications Technology Program
Joseph Heaps, NIJ

Planning, Project Governance, and Local Partnerships
Dan Hawkins, SEARCH Group

Breakout Sessions:

Breakout #1 – Future Trends and Directions
Facilitator – Michael Duffy, Justice Management Division
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Breakout #2 – Building Partnerships
Facilitator – Mike Dame, COPS
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Breakout #3 – Practical Applications of Technology
Facilitator – Joseph Heaps, NIJ
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Breakout #4 – Future Trends and Directions
Facilitator – Hyuk Byun, NIJ
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Breakout #5 – Building Partnerships
Facilitator – Rob Zanger, Justice Management Division
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Breakout #6 – Interoperability Cornerstones
Facilitator – Dan Hawkins, SEARCH Group
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