Broadband Communications Technology Guidance for Law Enforcement, California, Massachusetts, 2019-2022 (ICPSR 38547)
Version Date: Jul 16, 2026 View help for published
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James Dimarogonas, RAND Corporation
https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR38547.v1
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
In 2018 law enforcement agencies gained access to a federally created, nationwide, interoperable first responder broadband communications network, called the National Public Safety Broadband Network, also known as FirstNet. The RAND Corporation was funded to conduct research and provide guidance to law enforcement agencies on how to best transition to the broadband communication network. To this end, the RAND Corporation performed a literature review, interviewed subject-matter experts, and developed coverage maps for select areas. The interviews covered topics such as the current state of deployment, system governance, system reliability, vendors used, and plans for migration.
This data collection includes select quotes and interview notes from the interviews with subject-matter experts. The literature review and coverage maps for select areas are not included in this collection.
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Access to these data is restricted. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete a Restricted Data Use Agreement, specify the reason for the request, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research.
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Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose
The RAND Corporation was funded to research the circumstances influencing the acquisition, use, and sustainment of a broadband communications system for use in law enforcement and provide guidance to law enforcement agencies on how to implement such a system.
Study Design View help for Study Design
The study consisted of a literature review, subject-matter expert interviews, and the development of coverage maps for select areas. In-person interviews were conducted with experts from four participating agencies. Interviewing was delayed from April 2020 to January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These interviews explored the following topics:
- The current state of their land mobile radio (LMR) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) deployment for police and fire resources
- The vendor or vendors used to supply broadband hardware and software
- How broadband resources were financed for the police within their jurisdiction
- Any joint-powers agreement or consortium they participated in
- Any issues with connectivity in normal operating circumstances
- Any issues with connectivity during emergencies, multiagency responses requiring interoperability, or planned large-scale events
- Any plans to migrate to the National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) through contracting with ATT/Firstnet.com
- The rational for migration to a new broadband service provider or platform or rationale for not migrating.
In addition to in-person interviews, an online assessment of more than 30 policing agencies in California and Massachusetts was performed to determine the status of, planned future of, and issues with broadband for these organizations. Surveyed agencies with missing or incomplete answers were subsequently contacted via telephone to clarify responses.
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Law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, service providers, and telecommunications technologists in the United States.
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