GREENFIELD — The Police Department is getting a boost to its internal operations with the acquisition of new equipment and technology under a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

The department will purchase a digital dashboard personnel software package, two display monitors, mobile data terminals to be installed in three cruisers, camera firewall system software and an in-vehicle K-9 kennel for the newest bloodhound, Ellie Mae, according to Lt. Todd Dodge. The upgrades will be funded by a $49,342 grant under the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program

One monitor and the digital dashboard software package will supply the department with a comprehensive internal status screen, tracking where officers are throughout the city, their on-scene arrival times and other police response updates.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to have real-time information provided for our officers and supervisors,” Dodge said. “It gives officers walking through the station a quick and easy way to see where all the officers are.” 

A second monitor will be installed in the lobby of the police station, providing updates from the police, city and other community organizations. 

The mobile data terminals, meanwhile, will offer an essential retrofit upgrade to some of the department’s cruiser fleet, according to city officials. The department’s cruisers are between five and six years old, with their interior equipment aging and undergoing wear and tear. 

In addition to the grant, the department is planning to upgrade its dispatch communication system with funds that had previously been authorized by City Council for police station upgrades. Deputy Police Chief William Gordon said the $289,000 will allow the department to replace a system that’s as many as 20 years old. 

“You can’t get the parts anymore,” he said of the current system. “It breaks often, and it’s emergency communication, so we have to have a more stable system. It doesn’t have as many radio channels as we used now.” 

The current system also is unable to access the number of radio channels the department uses now, he added. 

Gordon said the new system will be installed in conjunction with the new dispatch center, the bids for which are expected to be going out soon. Last year, City Council authorized borrowing up to $904,000 for upgrades to the High Street station that includes an expansion of the dispatch center; addressing water infiltration issues to prevent further water and mold damage; locker room improvements that include creating gender-neutral changing and shower/toilet rooms; and construction of a new sally port to address safety issues and a lack of storage in the building.

With the cost of construction increasing, Gordon said the department has decided to “scale back” on the overall project, opting to revisit the gender-neutral changing room in the future. 

“We didn’t know at the time that we asked for that money that this console was at end-of-life,” he said. 

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.