LOS ANGELES — The outdated computer dispatch system utilized by the largest sheriff’s department in the country continued to be non-operational on Thursday following a failure that occurred on New Year’s Eve. This incident has led deputies to manage all incoming calls via radio communication, according to local officials.
Authorities from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department became aware of the situation around 8 p.m. on Tuesday. It was reported that deputies employed at several sheriff’s stations were unable to access the mobile computers installed in their patrol vehicles. In a statement, the department explained that their computer-aided dispatch system, referred to as CAD, had malfunctioned, preventing personnel from logging in as the new year commenced, thus rendering the CAD system inoperable.
Due to the ongoing issue, the department is currently handling calls through self-dispatching methods while remediation efforts are underway. They assured that service remains consistent, with radio communications and 911 emergency lines functioning without any interruptions.
As of Thursday, the exact cause of the system failure remains unclear, and there is uncertainty regarding how long repairs will take. Nicole Nishida, a spokesperson for the department, indicated that there is no evidence pointing to a cyber-attack, labeling the situation as a “technical issue.”
This isn’t the first time the department has grappled with inadequacies stemming from antiquated technology. Sheriff Robert Luna, who took office in December 2022, has been vocal about the pressing necessity to enhance and modernize the department’s internal systems. Earlier this year, in mid-2023, the sheriff’s department actively sought proposals to implement a new centralized CAD system. However, the latest statements from the department have not provided any updates on the current status of this modernization initiative.
In a related development, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva shared a letter on social media directed to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, dated 2022. In the correspondence, he requested funding for a new computer-aided dispatch system, highlighting that the antiquated nature of the current system has rendered it non-compliant with necessary data collection measures.
