Software Glitch Halts La Communicatio Ns Upgrade
A software glitch has interrupted Los Angeles’ $284 million upgrade of its Emergency Command Control Communications System, which could in turn delay the planned upgrade of police car computer systems, officials said Nov. 28.
News about the glitch in the city’s $15 million contract with Northrop Grumman Information Technology drew a strong reaction from the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, which declined–at least temporarily–to extend the contract with Northrop Grumman, which has indicated that it could take up to two years to correct the glitch. The company had previously said its work integrating the Los Angeles Police Department’s Computer-Aided Dispatch System and Mobile Data Terminals software would be complete late this year.
Los Angeles officials suggested at a Nov. 28 meeting that the problems were technical in nature and were related to the large scope of the project. A Northrop Grumman spokeswoman said project representatives could not be reached on Nov. 28 to explain what happened, but noted that the company is committed to resolving any problems.
Although officials said the delay should not cost the city any additional money, some committee members questioned the $13 million that has already been spent. “Have they essentially been paid $13 million for something that doesn’t work?” asked Councilman Jack Weiss, chairman of the committee.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Los Angeles Daily News (11/28/05); Laidman, Dan .
