History

Topeka, the Capital of Kansas and largest city in Shawnee county, remains a pioneer in the field of emergency communications.

In 1937, Topeka became one of the first cities in the United States to install two-way radios in their police and fire vehicles. After World War II, the Police Department utilized surplus Army walkie talkies for field communications at special events.

In the 1970's Topeka PD converted to a multi-frequency 400MHz radio system for better clarity and to escape the increasingly crowded "hi-band" spectrum.

In 1980, the Topeka Police and Fire Departments combined operations in one facility. This became the forerunner of CECC as it is today.

1985 saw the county's first 9-1-1 system and two years later brought Enhanced 9-1-1 which provides dispatchers with name, address and other caller information.

Computer-aided dispatch, or CAD, arrived in 1986. CAD systems relieve much of the drudgery of dispatching. They make recommendations for unit use and provide an excellent records keeping function. CECC is currently in the process of upgrading to it's third CAD system.

In 1997, Shawnee County assumed operation of all emergency communication and combined five law enforcement and eight fire agencies in one consolidated dispatch center using a state of the art trunked 800 MHz, 15 channel, two site simulcast radio system. That jargon may not mean much to you but what it supplies is the best and latest in communications. Even though that system is only three years old it is scheduled for major upgrades soon.

Our new CAD system will integrate with Topeka PD's conversion to MCT's or mobile computer terminals in Police units.

Here's a blast from the past--a vintage mid 1960's Dodge Sheriff Unit outside the old Sheriff's office on 5th street. Notice the huge "whip" antenna to the left of the deputy? Today's modern radio system utilizes an antenna only a few inches long.