Mexico City Police

The Mexico City Police, officially known as the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana de la Ciudad de México (SSC CDMX), is the primary law enforcement agency tasked with maintaining peace and security for a population exceeding 21 million. The force is one of the largest in Latin America and plays a critical role in managing the city’s complex public safety challenges, which include combating organised crime, overseeing prison systems, and coordinating with various emergency services.

For over 15 years, the Mexico City Police used radio systems from a single manufacturer but the systems gradually became outdated and failed to meet the growing needs of the police force due to:

• Limited functionality that disrupted transmissions.
• Old technology with minimal technological advancement, leaving the force behind modern advancements.
• Increasing hardware failures and slow repair times.
• Supply chain delays, particularly post-pandemic, causing issues with obtaining necessary components and replacements.

The outdated systems hindered operational efficiency and created significant challenges for officers.

In 2020, the SSC CDMX embarked on a major upgrade of their communications systems, selecting Sepura and Jomtel Telecomunicaciones as the solution providers. The initial deployment involved 2,300 Sepura STP9200, SC20 and SCG22 radios, alongside Radio Manager, marking a significant step towards a modernised and future-proof system.

Key features of the solution included:

• Enhanced coverage: The SC20 portable radios offered 3W of RF power, providing superior coverage compared to the previous radios (1 and 1.8W). Mobile radios supported 10W of power, significantly enhancing transmission range and reliability across the vast city.
• Efficient device management: Radio Manager enabled the simultaneous programming of multiple radios, saving considerable time compared to previous one-by-one programming. It simplified operations and improved efficiency, allowing staff to focus on other priorities.
• Battery life: High-capacity lithium polymer (Li-Pol) batteries replaced the older, heavier alternatives, offering extended hours. This upgrade significantly reduced physical strain on officers while improving battery performance.
• Durability and design: Sepura radios were rigorously tested for reliability in the demanding environments of Mexico City, ensuring they could withstand harsh urban conditions and provide reliable interaction in the field.
• Innovation and support: Sepura’s ongoing commitment to progress meant the SSC CDMX could be confident their investment would remain relevant with regular updates. A robust support system ensured timely maintenance and swift resolution of any issues.

Following the initial rollout, SSC CDMX has continually upgraded its equipment, introducing approximately 4,000 new hand-portable and mobile radios throughout the following years. As a result, the Mexico City Police have experienced significant benefits, including:

• Improved security: The encryption provided by the TETRA system ensures secure transmissions, a crucial feature in combating organised crime and ensuring confidential operations.
• Enhanced audio clarity: Sepura radios provide exceptional audio quality, even in challenging conditions, such as heavy rain. This has led to better communication across the force and faster, more effective responses to incidents.
• Reduced costs: The durability of the Sepura radios has reduced replacement costs and ensured officers always have reliable tools available, reducing downtime and improving overall productivity.
• Better situational awareness: GPS tracking and automatic location systems have revolutionised resource allocation, improving response times and enabling better coordination during emergencies.
• Access to critical data: With SDS applications, officers can now access essential data, such as criminal records and vehicle registrations, directly from their radios, speeding up decision-making in the field.
• Future-proof solution: Sepura’s ongoing support and roadmap for innovation ensure the police force can rely on their system for years to come, adapting to new challenges and technology advancements.