DOWNEY – Saddled by antiquated technology, the Downey Police Department is preparing to upgrade its outdated dispatch radio consoles so that it can connect with other law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles County. 

Switching to modern radio communication won’t be cheap, however. The City Council on Tuesday will decide whether to spend $650,000 to make the switch. 

The cost would be funded by Measure S, the sales tax increase approved by Downey voters in 2016. 

The Downey Police Department currently operates its own radio system on channels for which Downey holds the FCC licenses. Radio broadcasts are done over a conventional analog VHF radio network. 

According to Police Chief Carl Charles, the radio infrastructure is increasingly obsolete and produces a limited signal, especially when police officers are outside city boundaries. 

“With the increased need for interoperability with other cities and jurisdictions, it is imperative that radio communications are improved,” Charles wrote in a staff report to council members. 

The police chief recommended purchasing Motorola Solutions MCC 7500 IP dispatch consoles, which are compatible with both of L.A. County’s regional networks. 

The city council already voted last February to upgrade the police department’s portable and mobile radio communication units, along with software and 11 new video mobile data computers.