By Michelle DeLeon
Staff Writer

On July 10, the city of Kissimmee Informational Technology Department hosted group of representatives from the Abu Dhabi Police Department at the Kissimmee city hall.

The objective of the police force was to see how the Kissimmee Police Department uses world-class Geographic Information System technology and how the GIS required data is administered and maintained by the IT department.

The Abu Dhabi delegation is researching various technologies to provide top-notch security being used across the country as part of their modernization effort for their police force.

Prior to Kissimmee, the delegation visited Madrid, Paris and London, but Kissimmee  was their first visit in the United States.

Among the group of dignitaries were Maj. Mohammed Saleh Ahmed Almulla Al Mansoori, Lt. Mohammed Saeed Ali Saeed Al Mansoori and Lt. Mohammed Salem Mohammed Saif Mazrooei, of the Abu Dhabi Police.

While in Kissimmee, Capt. Warren Shepard of the Kissimmee Police Department showed them the Kissimmee 911 Communication Center where the dispatchers and call-takers are able to view all active 911 calls including cellphone calls via Global Positioning System (GPS) on a map with an aerial imagery.

Along with the calls, locations of all patrol vehicles are also displayed on the mapping system because all patrol vehicles are equipped with the GPS technology. The GIS enables the dispatchers to deploy the closest unit available to the caller, so the officer can provide the needed help in the least amount of time possible and the GIS also can map out the quickest route for the officer if needed.

GIS also provides security for the Kissimmee police officers. If an officer doesn’t respond, the dispatchers will be able to quickly see where the officer is and provide the needed support.

In addition, with the city’s GIS, live video surveillance is accessible, as well as building layouts, weather radar, it even shows geo-tagged-social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Being chosen by the Abu Dhabi delegation left the Kissimmee Police Department feeling a sense of pride, city officials said.

Tony Curtis, assistant IT director said he was pleased that the city was recognized for providing a world-class technology for the residents of Kissimmee.

The Kissimmee Police Department is geared toward ensuring the safety of the community and this kind of recognition showed that city funds were being well spent.