SHELBY TOWNSHIP -- New police chief Robert Leman, like other law enforcement leaders across Macomb, faces a slew of challenges in running his department.
   Police departments have an aging computer-dispatch system, antiquated patrol car terminals and limited finances. Shelby, Utica, St. Clair Shores and Eastpointe, among others, are struggling to keep pace with technology that continues to change how law enforcement is conducted.
   For his part, Leman has until the end of the year to decide whether Shelby Township will join an Oakland County management system that provides access to everything from driving records to arrest warrant information.
   Currently, Shelby uses Sterling Heights' radio frequency to access such information. But with Sterling Heights poised to join Oakland County's Courts and Law Enforcement Management System -- 75 departments are already included in the consortium, which is one of the first of its kind in the nation -- Shelby has to decide either to join or purchase a stand-alone system.
   Leman said the issue comes down to cost. Shelby's police department will have to pay a fee for each officer who uses the system. Cost estimates were not immediately available Tuesday.
   "Obviously, economics plays a part in that decision," said Leman, who plans to form a committee to research the township's options.
   In Utica, cost is always the name of the game when it comes to improving technology, Police Chief Bruce Bissonnette said.
   Bissonnette has just 16 sworn officers. With a small department, it's difficult to keep up with technological advances the way Sterling Heights, Warren or other larger departments can, he said.
   "The problem is always money," Bissonnette said. "Right now, we have mobile data terminals which are really like dummy computers, and all we can do is run license checks, driver checks, where other departments can get warrant information."
   To the east, St. Clair Shores officials are doing their best to keep pace with the ever-expanding information superhighway.
   The St. Clair Shores City Council approved a request on Monday to install new computers in the department's 17 patrol cars. The total cost will be $124,000. The city did receive a $27,000 grant.
   St. Clair Shores also is preparing to join Oakland County's law enforcement management system with Sterling Heights. Eastpointe also will join.
   "It's what they call a seamless integration," Police Chief Frank Troester said. "Let's say we stop you out on the street and we run you for warrants or we ask dispatch for warrants. If you had contact with another agency we'd know about it."
   Sterling Heights Police Capt. Frank Mowinski said the bottom line is that every police agency in Macomb County is an island right now -- which isn't good when it comes to law enforcement. That will change with the new courts and law enforcement management system, he said.
   "We can all put into it and we can all take out of it, which is perfect for law enforcement," Mowinski said.

Detroit News

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