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Council debates police 'calls for service' counts and considers new GPS/CAD software
Summary
Residents questioned the police report’s count of 'calls' after a heavy snow period; the police chief defended counting self-initiated business/park checks as calls for service and proposed new GPS/CAD-tracking software (approx. $5,000) to improve oversight and routing.
Residents and council members pressed the Village of East Canton Police Department on how it reports calls for service after a recent storm, while the police chief described a proposed software upgrade to improve supervision and federal reporting.
A resident told council the department’s January activity totals appeared inflated because the printout counted routine patrols and business checks as 'calls.' The resident said the public equates a 'call' with someone phoning dispatch. The Police Chief responded that the department’s reports come from the dispatch/CAD logs, and that self-initiated business checks and extra patrols are logged as calls for service for accountability and to establish time frames for incidents such as vandalism.
Citing precedent, an unidentified speaker referenced the Supreme Court of Ohio and case definitions indicating that a call for duty can include any situation requiring a law-enforcement response. Council members said they understood the distinction but recognized the public perception issue.
The chief also presented a packet and summary for a GPS/CAD-integrated tracking software meant to replace the village’s current tracker. He said the package (units plus integration) would cost just over $5,000; current tracking runs roughly $1,300–$1,600 per year. The proposal would supply units for four vehicles and about 14 user licenses; the service department was not included in the base quote and council asked staff to check whether a lower-cost add-on or an eight-vehicle option was available.
Council discussion focused on budget availability and whether to trial the system for a year before committing long-term. The chief said the system improves routing, links to CAD dispatch, and provides supervisors more detailed accountability. Council asked for follow-up on pricing for adding additional vehicles and a possible one-year trial.
Next steps: staff to follow up with the vendor about add-on pricing and trial options; if funds are available council may consider a short-term pilot before full purchase.
