CHICOPEE — During the City Council meeting on Dec. 3, Mayor John Vieau and Police Chief Patrick Major discussed several items and appropriations to upgrade the technology at the Police Department.
Vieau stated that the City Council had an executive session a couple of weeks ago to discuss the requests.
“We’re really interested in moving technology forward in the Police Department and frankly we’re going to be cutting edge when it comes to technology. Right now, we are [using] the Fusus system which is a camera AI system that’s been a tremendous help in the accompanying the PD and their daily operations. I am really excited about the future of the Chicopee PD,” Vieau said.
One of the mayor’s orders was the appropriation of $447,461 to the police expense account for computer software from available funds in the stabilization fund.
Vieau said this funding will be used for taser upgrades, the installation of body cameras and dashboard cameras as well as components of artificial intelligence and virtual training.
He said, “What we’re really looking to do, and it’s no secret, update our tasers, add body cam and dash cams and really integrate AI into what we do with a real-time information center here in the city of Chicopee.”
Major explained the AI software is a multifaceted and closed system so it will “only use what we put into it.” It’s also going to be able to allow the officers and the body cameras to have an instant translator feature and expedite report writing.
The Police Department researched and received $300,000 worth of grants for this program as well.
At-Large City Councilor Tim Wagner also said that during the executive session, “with all of this AI innovation, they ensured me that there will be appropriate civilian safeguards and human checks on all the technology that’s being inputted in the department and I think it’s going to be a game changer in terms of policing not just in Chicopee or the commonwealth but across the nation.”
Mayor’s orders five, six and seven are the funding for the employees to work in the real-time crime center.
Mayor’s order number five was the appropriation of $43,250 to the police salary account for information and technology systems engineer.
The systems engineer will report to the deputy chief and focus on the technology itself. Major said he has officers who are currently tech savvy but would like to remove them and get them back to more police work.
Major explained, “The reason why we’re asking for a technology engineer is just due to the vast amount of technology that we’ve implemented over the last few years to include what we’re asking for.”
Mayor’s order six was the appropriation of $57,500 for a real-time investigative crime analyst supervisor and mayor’s order seven was the appropriation of $35,000 for a real-time crime analyst.
Vieau said he has visited the real-time crime center in Springfield, calling it “special,” and would like to add a real-time information center to the city.
Vieau further explained that civilians will be trained to work at the real-time crime center and that there will be two real-time analyst positions with one being funded by Chicopee and the other by the Hampden Couty Sheriff’s Department.
“These are going to be civilian positions. They’re going to be skilled, confidential positions and the fourth one will be paid for by the Hampden County Sheriff so we’re going to have four positions that are going to be working in the real-time information center and the graciousness of the sheriff, he is going to be paying for one of those positions,” Vieau said.
Vieau has always talked about the importance of public safety in the city and thinks this technology and program will help with that.
He said, “Public safety is paramount to the success of this community. We want to make sure that they have the right tools to not only protect themselves but to protect everyone that lives here. I often said if you don’t feel comfortable putting your head down on your family at night, you’re not going to want to live in the city of Chicopee.”
Mayor’s order eight was the appropriation of $147,000 for computer software and is the extra AI program that helps with report writing, having manuals online and with immediate language translation.
The City Council approved each order be sent to the Finance Committee for a public hearing.
City Council President Frank Laflamme said that all the discussed items were sent to the Finance Committee for an opportunity more discussion and the public will have the opportunity to learn more as well.
The Finance Committee meeting took place on Dec. 9.
