Colonel Paul McClellan
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol

Repeat is a word dispatchers and troopers rarely need to use at central Ohio Patrol Posts that are testing the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS). The new 800-mega hertz digital network is bringing Ohio State Highway Patrol technology into the 21st Century, while vastly improving both officer safety and efficiency.

MARCS is a secure wireless digital network that will cover nearly the entire state and allows troopers to communicate with officers from various agencies on the same channel. It will be especially helpful during emergencies and large events. However, troopers and dispatchers in 13 Ohio counties now enjoy the clarity of the MARCS system in day-to-day operations during the current testing phase.

The Patrol’s old radio communication system, which is still in use until MARCS is fully implemented, is more than 50 years old. The radio frequencies of the antiquated system are crowded and radio interference makes it difficult to determine what is being said. The coverage is spotty, with some areas of the state completely unable to use the system. The system does not support interoperability, which makes it very difficult for agencies to communicate.

Cross-agency communication is often necessary in critical incidents and pursuits that include multiple jurisdictions. A recent incident, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of Massillon Police Department Ptl. Eric Taylor, illustrates the significant impact MARCS could have on officer safety.

The incident began when a trooper attempted to stop a suspect’s vehicle for a traffic violation. The suspect, who was later found to be a member of a local militia organization, attempted to flee the trooper. Massillon Police Department officers responded to the scene, but the Patrol and Massillon Police Department were unable to communicate directly. Instead, they communicated with their dispatchers, which resulted in delays. While the communication delays were measured in seconds, these seconds could have made a significant difference. Although it will never be known if an improved radio system could have prevented the death of Ptl. Taylor, it is believed the trooper may have been able to immediately warn officers that the suspect had a firearm.

The new MARCS features include: a clear statewide, interference-free channel; communication with no transition or relay losses; control stations at county Emergency Management Agencies and Sheriff’s Offices. In addition, MARCS enables and improves access to data, including: HAZMAT; access to external computer hosts; the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS); the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV); and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

The Patrol’s first phase of MARCS implementation includes the Delaware, Lancaster, Granville, West Jefferson, Mt. Gilead, Circleville, Chillicothe, and Marion posts. Troopers at these posts are pleased they no longer need to repeat information several times, and no longer have to be concerned about being unable to contact the post from some areas. The Patrol hopes to have MARCS capabilities at all Patrol posts by late 2004. Many state agencies, local police departments, and counties across Ohio are also beginning to explore the possibilities of using MARCS.

Troopers are able to better assist each other with MARCS because they do not need to wait for a dispatcher to contact them; they can monitor the need for backup themselves. The clearer system allows troopers to hear their colleagues on patrol who would have been out of range with the previous system. A Delaware Post trooper said if he hears a trooper may be in need of assistance, he can proceed that way and be in route before the dispatcher has time to notify the need for back up. In this capacity, MARCS greatly improves officer safety.

In the near future, every trooper’s patrol car will have a laptop computer installed to access MARCS. Rather than calling in a registration to the dispatcher, a trooper will be able to look up the registration on the laptop. MARCS supports in-car lap tops, which enables officers to search for data on driver licenses, vehicle registrations, outstanding warrants, and hazardous cargo materials. Previously, this information had to be obtained by contacting the post dispatcher via the outdated radio system.

In addition to the improvements in trooper operations, patrol dispatching is significantly improved with MARCS computer-aided dispatch. Patrol dispatchers use four monitors for MARCS computer dispatching. Troopers’ unit numbers are displayed on one screen. When a trooper contacts the dispatcher, that trooper’s unit number is highlighted, which allows the dispatcher to immediately know which trooper is speaking. MARCS enables dispatchers to patch troopers to local law enforcement and facilitate private calls when necessary.

One of the monitors will display a map to view the location of Patrol cars. MARCS enables automatic vehicle location, which allows for rapid deployment in emergencies; assignment of field units to incidents; logging and instant recall recording; and emergency signaling. The tracking system is a safety feature that uses global position system (GPS) units to track the location of Patrol vehicles.

Reliable communication is a critical life-saving tool. When an emergency or disaster strikes and nothing else works, MARCS will.

It’s about safety.