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USCP Begins Operating on New Radio System

February 27, 2014
United States Capitol PoliceChief Kim Dine
119 D Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20510February 27, 2014
(202) 224-1677

The ability to communicate via radio is one of the most critical tools a law enforcement officer can have at their disposal. We are pleased to announce that on February 26, 2014, the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) fully migrated to a new radio system—an encrypted, 14-channel, digital trunked P25 radio system. This critical life safety tool provides our officers with significant improvements that enhance our ability to perform our law enforcement mission.

The new system offers greater interior and exterior coverage, more capacity, improved voice quality, greater interoperability, and greater network redundancy within the system. This modernized and upgraded radio system is future-ready. The new radios that the USCP are using on this system are the latest technology and are designed for continued state-of-the-art upgrades.

Chief Kim C. Dine says, "the safety of our sworn and civilian personnel is of the highest priority and we would like to thank the Members of Congress for providing this state-of-the-art critical life and safety tool for our agency. This day marked a significant milestone for the USCP."

Successful implementation of this new radio system involved partnerships with numerous entities and the USCP would like to thank our partners whose collaboration made this milestone possible. The men and women of the Department are especially grateful for the support provided by the Congress, Congressional leadership, the leadership of the Appropriations and Oversight Committees, as well as their professional staffs, and the Capitol Police Board. We are particularly thankful for their support in receiving funding, assistance, and supportive oversight of this critical life safety tool and the radio modernization program as a whole.

Additionally, the Department is grateful for our partnership with the Architect of the Capitol and Naval Air Systems Command in designing, implementing and executing this complex state-of-the-art digital and encrypted radio system. Furthermore, we are grateful for the oversight and partnership of the Government Accountability Office during this transformational effort. Their participation assisted the Department in both the technical and program management areas.

It is estimated that the shutdown of the old analog system will occur in approximately thirty days. Over the next thirty days, we will employ several strategies to continue the smooth transition to a digital environment and ensure employee comfort and familiarity with their equipment while adapting to a digital radio system. During the next thirty days, the USCP will continue to employ post-migration optimization measures meant to fine-tune the system while it is in use.

If there are any questions about the information in this press release, please contact the U.S. Capitol Police Public Information Office at (202) 224-1677.

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Prepared by:
Lieutenant Kimberly Schneider
United States Capitol Police
Public Information Officer
Kimberly.Schneider@uscp.gov

About the U.S. Capitol Police:

The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) is comprised of over 2,000 sworn and civilian employees. The USCP is the sole federal law enforcement agency in the Legislative Branch of government whose mission it is to protect the Congress, its legislative processes, Members, employees, visitors, and facilities from crime, disruption, or terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional responsibilities in a safe and open environment.