One of the technologies new to the department is a mobile data computer that officers can use to access the station’s main computer, Registry of Motor Vehicle records and other information from their cruiser or anywhere else in town. The department has six of these computers, with three installed in police cars, two portable units and one hand-held unit for use by detectives or officers on bicycle patrols.

Police Chief Mark DeLuca said Monday that the computers were activated this past weekend and officers logged 175 entries on the machines in that period alone. DeLuca said that this new equipment allows officers to fill out reports in the field in addition to searching needed records in a timelier manner.

“We expect these to increase patrol time,” he said. “It will keep our officers out on the streets as opposed to the hour to hour-and-a-half it would take for them to come into the station and fill out a report. They can do a lot with these new computers.”

The computers were funded, added DeLuca, with money previously approved at last year’s Annual Town Meeting.

In addition to the computers, the department will also be utilizing five automatic external defibrillators (AED) to help minimize the time from emergency call to shock for sudden cardiac arrests.

“Between fire and police, we are the first responders,” said DeLuca. “If we are first on the scene, it is important for us to have these units available for just that reason. We can get there and administer first aid until fire responds.”

DeLuca said that 25 officers have been trained on how to use the portable defibrillators with more training to come. He added that the training came at virtually no cost to the town, as Lt. John Bowser from the fire department trained police on how to use the units.

“Our officers have gotten training, this is a technological advance for them to use and they are up for it; it’s a part of their job,” said DeLuca.

The department currently has five of the portable Medtronic Lifepaks that will be placed in cruisers for use. Three of the units were purchased through a public safety grant while the Duxbury Police Union and the Village at Duxbury donated the other two.

Each Lifepak includes an AED unit and various medical supplies, such as a breathing mask for CPR, a pair of trauma scissors and disposable protective gloves.

In November, the department approved a policy for using the units that includes the provision that detail officers assigned to inside public events with large groups of people shall bring one of the AED kits if available. For outside public events, the kits may also be taken with the officer if approved by the officer in charge.

With both the new mobile computer units and the AEDs, DeLuca said that future technology upgrades will depend on both the department’s needs and budgetary constraints, but these latest additions will definitely benefit the department.

“These [technologies] are another piece to increase our efficiency and effectiveness of the Duxbury Police Department to serve our community,” he said.