The Ripon Police Department’s computer system will soon be getting an upgrade.

That’s after the Ripon City Council approved the purchase of computer servers along with the backup storage and hardware associated with bringing the computer network up to industry standards at Tuesday’s monthly session.

Cost is not to exceed $57,758 from the General Department Capital Fund.

“This is the one fund that all (city) departments can use to help fund capital replacement items such as new computers or new cars,” said City Administrator Kevin Werner.

He added: “A few years ago, the City had determined what might be needed for repairs and replacement of items, and put money into this account.”

Several months ago, the City conducted a survey of computer network via in-house staff. Included was an inventory of department servers, backup storage, and available space to hold data.

“During this evaluation, our network was found to be lacking in several key areas and backup capabilities,” said police Chief Ed Ormonde in his report.

The upgrades will provide police with the capacity to store increasing amounts of electronic information and data along with the ability to retrieve such information in the event of a catastrophic incident.

Elected leaders also gave the green light for the purchase of new dispatch console radios, replacing the current outdated system while bringing the fourth dispatch station into service, using the same funding source (General Department Capital Fund) not to exceed $220,502.

A survey of the radio communication system by an outside vendor was conducted last May.

After looking at several options, the City went with La Rue Communications to replace and upgrade the current system.

The proposal by La Rue Communications will also make all four dispatch consoles full functional with radio communications and the capability of meeting the new encryption made, according to Ormonde.

“It should be noted that we recently entered into a contract with the City of Lathrop to provide full dispatch services,” he said.

Lathrop is in the processes of putting together its own police force and will help in reimbursing the cost with Ripon in bringing that fourth dispatch console to fully radio operational.