The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office was awarded a grant by the Gila River Indian Community for the amount of $67,517.17 to purchase new digital technology to upgrade its radio communications system.
A “microwave link” is a communications system that uses radio waves in the microwave frequency range to transmit information between two locations and includes a transmitter, receiver, transmission line and antennas (microwave dishes). This new digital system will enhance the current communication system by adding a microwave link between Pinal Peak and PCSO in Florence. This will provide the connectivity needed to improve operability and inter-operability dramatically enhancing our current operations and future regional dispatching.
Currently, PCSO dispatch uses control stations to operate its primary, county wide radio channels. This new Digital Microwave Link will provide the path and bandwidth needed for enhanced voice services and to support data communications and information sharing. This link at Pinal Peak also serves as an interface into DPS Statewide microwave net work, supporting inter-operability. This new Digital Microwave Link will support new digital technologies and regional dispatching.
The funding provided by the Gila River Indian Community allows the department to reach its goal to improve operations and inter-operability within the region and support new digital technologies and regional dispatching.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Five years ago there were many areas of the county where dispatchers and deputies were not able to talk back and forth. This inoperability created not only a delay in emergency response times but also a serious officer safety concern. Through grant funding, PCSO has been able to replace outdated portable radios, patrol vehicle radios, mobile data computers, add additional towers with dishes/antennas and this new digital microwave link. The Gila River Indian Community has been a strong partner in our efforts to improve radio communications countywide.”