LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has begun equipping the motorcycle fleet of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) with computers that provide a new level of public safety and efficiency capabilities. Approximately 100 motorcycles will carry the new, lightweight computers in saddle bags by this fall.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121001/NE83060 )

Historically, motorcycle deputies have had to rely solely on voice communications; now, they can access data on computers, enabling license plate checks, wanted persons inquiries and access to other law enforcement information. The goal is to enhance efficiency and provide the deputies with capabilities they've lacked in the past, to better serve their communities.

"These laptops were the foundation needed to make our motorcycle deputies more efficient," said Capt. Scott Edson of the LASD. "Traffic enforcement reduces collisions and saves lives. These laptops make possible new technologies, like electronic citations, which will shorten the time it takes to issue a citation and provide more time for deputies to better serve the public. An added benefit is reduced voice radio traffic, a critical lifeline for all law enforcement officers."

TJ Kennedy, director of Public Safety and Security for Raytheon's Network Centric Systems business, said, "This technology is a real game-changer for public safety. It gives the department something completely new. These computers have many of the same capabilities as those we're installing in thousands of LASD vehicles, and the evidence is there that they are already paying major dividends."

Raytheon was selected last year to upgrade 1980s-era terminals in LASD vehicles with technology that offered more capabilities than the department had ever had. That effort is now extending to its motorcycle fleet as well.

Also in Los Angeles County, Raytheon is replacing dispatch consoles for the sheriff and fire departments, enabling them to be more responsive to their communities while raising efficiency and lowering maintenance costs.

For the first time, Fire Department dispatchers will now have the ability to directly connect with nearby fire agencies at the touch of a button.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion and 71,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Note to Editors

For more information, visit online at Raytheon's public safety solutions and Raytheon's site about the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department laptop program.

Media Contact
Peter Ramjug
+1.978.886.7738
ncspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company