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6.1.A. - Page 16 Given the diversity of CAD,records management and communications systems used in law enforcement agencies across the County, systems migration represents an important factor to be evaluated whenever consolidation of dispatch centers is being considered. From interviews, the Grand Jury learned that technology consolidation can be and has been managed effectively in the several cases of police dispatch consolidation already completed in the County. 5. Some Police Dispatch Consolidation Experiences Within San Mateo County three cities have contracted with other cities to provide dispatch services (not including the contracting of over-night dispatch by Colma to South San Francisco). San Carlos—Menlo Park. In 2006, San Carlos contracted with Menlo Park for dispatch services. A 2008 report by the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury investigated the impact of the consolidation.2 The report noted that the one-time cost to the San Carlos Police Department for CAD and records management system consolidation was $186,000. But the report also said that consolidation saved San Carlos approximately $244,000 per year in reduced staffing costs, such that even in the first year savings were achieved. The report said that call response times for both cities remained at the same three to five minutes level that they were prior to the consolidation. The report concluded that the dispatch center consolidation "...has allowed both communities to have access to a state-of-the-art communications system that greatly enhances the ability of the police dispatchers to serve a much larger geographical area and still maintain the former high level of service. In the process, the consolidation has been financially beneficial to both SCPD and MPPD." It should be noted that San Carlos contracted with the County Sheriff's office for all law enforcement services including dispatch in late 2010. Pacifica—South San Francisco. In 2011, as part of overall city budget cuts of$1 S million, the Pacifica Police Department was asked to reduce department expenses by $630,000 per year. The Pacifica City Council approved the Police Department's recommendation to contract its police dispatch services to South San Francisco, saving Pacifica approximately$300,000 per year. As was the case with San Carlos and Menlo Park, equipment modifications were required, and Pacifica received a $300,000 federal grant to install a new and compatible records management system. Pacifica expected to save $280,000 to $300,000 in its first year of outsourcing dispatch services, although there were cost overruns in the transition. An official from Pacifica told that Grand Jury that the first six months with South San Francisco police dispatch has been excellent with the transition being almost seamless with no observable impact on response times. Brisbane—San Mateo.In 2003, the City of Brisbane ended its contract for police dispatch with the PSC and contracted instead with the City of San Mateo, in order to take advantage of expanded services including a modernized records management system that the merger would provide. New software was required for the change. There was no fiscal impact cited for this change.3 The current annual cost to Brisbane is $140,000. z http://www.sanmateocourt.org/documents/grand jury/2007/police com services.pdf 3 http://mail.smrn.com/pipermail/brsnet/2003-August/000348.html Staff reports.See VIII, item A. 7