LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s outdated computer dispatch system remains offline following a crash on New Year’s Eve, compelling deputies to manage all calls via radio communication.
Officials became aware of the issue around 8 p.m. Tuesday when deputies at various stations reported an inability to log into mobile computers located in their patrol vehicles.
The malfunctioning computer-aided dispatch program, known as CAD, has prevented personnel from logging on, rendering the system inoperable for the start of the new year.
As the situation unfolds, the department is relying on self-dispatch methods; however, they assure that calls for service are still being addressed and are being tracked manually at station levels.
Despite the dispatch system being down, radio communications and 911 emergency lines are functioning normally, ensuring that service remains uninterrupted.
As of Thursday, the cause of the outage remains unclear, with no information available on how long it will take to implement a fix. Officials have not yet indicated whether the failure may be linked to a cyberattack.
The department has grappled with issues related to outdated technology for several years. Since stepping into office in December 2022, Sheriff Robert Luna has stressed the critical need for improvements to the department’s internal systems. In mid-2023, a formal request was made for proposals to develop a new centralized CAD system; however, updates on this modernization effort have not been provided in recent statements.
On Wednesday, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva highlighted the issue by sharing a 2022 letter addressed to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, which sought funding for a new computer-aided dispatch system. The correspondence noted that the existing system’s age prevents it from meeting current data collection requirements.
