ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF)- The Arlington Police Department is expanding it’s portable radio technology for the special events unit.
Lieutenant Chris Cook said they rely heavily on outside police agencies to help work events at AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Park and Texas Live, but they don’t all have the same radio system. The department received a grant to purchase 25 new radios to make sure all officers are on the same system, which will enhance security at these events. Cook said before officers would have to pair up and sue one radio, now they will be able to spread security out more.
“We have about 26-30 agencies that assist Arlington during large scale events that may require several hundred officers,” he said. Cook said additional radios will provide seamless communications between outside agencies and Arlington Police to provide better public safety at events. “From a fan experience is very critical… no matter what police patch you see at any of these events you can rest assure that all of these officers are on the same page and no what’s going on,” Cooks said.
The radio system also has GPS capabilities that track an officers location if needed. Cook said this capability hasn’t been set up yet.
These officers are off-duty, meaning they get paid by the venue instead of the city.
The department will get these radios before the opening of Globe Life Field in March.