The Arnold Police Department has used its first grant from the Missouri Blue Shield program to purchase Panasonic Tough Book computers for the department’s vehicles.
The Blue Shield program is part of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s Safer Missouri initiative and allows communities to apply for state grants for law enforcement training and equipment. In April, the city of Arnold and Jefferson County were the first two local governments to receive Blue Shield designation.
“The Blue Shield Grant is an incredibly valuable resource for departments like ours,” Arnold Police Chief Brian Carroll said. “It allows us to invest in critical technology and equipment that directly supports officer safety and public service. We’re grateful for the opportunity and appreciate the state’s continued support of local law enforcement.”
Arnold received a $49,995 grant from the Missouri Department of Public Safety, which is administering the Blue Shield program, and the city purchased the computers, which also are called mobile data terminals (MDT), from Turn-Key Mobile Inc. of Jefferson City.
Carroll said Turn-Key has a state contract to supply MDTs, and the city did not need to seek additional bids.
City Council members voted 7-0 on Dec. 4 to approve completing the transaction to purchase the MDTs with Blue Shield grant money. Ward 1 Councilman EJ Fleischmann was absent from the meeting.
Council documents show the Missouri Department of Public Safety sent Arnold its grant award agreement on Oct. 1.
“Once Turn-Key-Mobile confirmed that we received final qualification for the grant, they shipped the computers to us,” Carroll said Dec. 5. “We received the computers a couple of weeks ago.
“The original agreement was for the state to send funds directly to Turn-Key-Mobile. Instead, the state sent the funds to us directly. In order for our agency to forward the funds to Turn-Key-Mobile, I needed approval from our council to pay the invoice. We are in the process of installing hardware on the MDTs.”
Carroll said MDTs allow officers to access information while in the field, and the computers are mainly for dispatch communications and report writing, but officers also may use them to access multiple law enforcement databases.
“These computers are essential tools for our agency,” he said. “They improve officer efficiency and allow officers to complete reports while in the field. Instead of writing a report at the Police Station, officers can stay in the field, which reduces response times. Having access to real-time information in the field also helps officers make informed decisions and improves overall public safety.”
Carroll said the 15 MDTs that are being replaced are no longer under warranty and are expensive to repair. He also said those computers are becoming slower and less reliable to use.
“Some of the older computers are no longer compatible with some of the latest software and security requirements,” he said. “Once the new units are installed, we will evaluate the old ones for any potential repurposing within our department or other departments in the city. Many of the MDTs will likely be disposed of in accordance with city policy.”
Carroll said he initially planned to replace just three MDTs during the current budget cycle, which started Sept. 1 and runs through Aug. 31, 2026. However, he said after learning the Blue Shield grant money could be used on the computers, he increased the number Arnold purchased.
“Since the grant covered the cost of the three MDTs originally budgeted, we now have the flexibility to redirect those funds toward other public safety priorities or return them to general revenue,” he said. “As the budget year progresses, we continue to assess and address operational needs that support both our officers and the community.”