Rehoboth Beach Police Department to upgrade officer laptops

For the third time since 2010, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department is upgrading its police vehicle laptops.

In an email Dec. 12, Chief Keith Banks said the police department has received 14 laptops, at cost of approximately $1,000 each. He said the money to purchase the laptops came from the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council Laptop Program, which is funded through the Bond Bill.

Banks said like any technology, the old equipment, last replaced in February 2015, was beginning to run slow. The new laptops are more efficient, he said.

“These upgrades allow patrol vehicles to be mobile offices,” said Banks.

Banks said the new laptops allow for faster responses to inquiries, and officers will be able to remain on the road to complete reports and paperwork.

This laptop grant isn’t the only grant the Rehoboth Police Department has received this year to help purchase needed equipment. Banks said the department also received a 2018 Combat Violent Crimes Grant for $36,000, which upgraded car cameras and purchased body cameras for each officer.

“I would like to thank the Bond Bill Committee for their support of the laptop program,” said Banks. “This allows smaller municipalities the ability to upgrade vital equipment without using the city’s operating budget.”

Banks said the new laptops are slated to be installed in January.