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Council holds vote on police radio payment after Kenwood tests raise performance concerns
Summary
Council read a resolution authorizing payment to Motorola for police radio equipment and support but held the item for two weeks after staff reported Kenwood radios failed field tests despite a lower price and higher unit count.
Council members paused action on a procurement resolution that would waive formal bidding and authorize payment to Motorola Service Solutions for the North Little Rock Police Department's radio system.
Moderator (speaker 2) said he would hold the item for two weeks to get additional information after staff reported a Kenwood bid offered more radios (about 160 units) at a lower price but had field performance and durability problems. Chief Tucker (speaker 15), addressing the council, said field testing showed Kenwood radios were "unable to transmit" and "unable to receive transmissions while they're standing next to officers with Motorola radios," and that durability and water resistance were concerns.
"They were unable to transmit...they were unable to receive transmissions," Chief Tucker said, describing a 150-hour field test that found reliability problems. Staff told council the Motorola equipment under consideration would supply fewer radios (about 60 units) and cost more, but offered better durability and interoperability.
The mayor/presiding official asked staff to review options and return to the council in two weeks with recommendations; no final procurement vote was taken at this meeting.
