Port Authority aims for $15M high-tech boost to speed up NYC police response times

Craig McCarthy, Haley Brown
·2 min read
Port Authority police officers.
Port Authority police officers.

The Port Authority is set to make $15 million in upgrades to its police tech to increase response times and communication during critical incidents, putting it in line with other top police departments around the country.

The new tech will improve dispatch response times with a new interface and dispatching information pass back that will improve officer safety and situational awareness, according to Mark43, a private police-tech company awarded the contract.

The Port Authority Police Department has the largest transit-related police force in the country.

Port Authority police will have new tech that allows them to fill out reports from the field. Getty Images
Port Authority police will have new tech that allows them to fill out reports from the field. Getty Images
Port Authority Police are getting new tech to modernize their policing. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Port Authority Police are getting new tech to modernize their policing. Stephen Yang for NY Post

“The Port Authority Police Department is making a tremendous investment in technology to enhance collaboration with partner agencies through information sharing, increase operational efficiency, and equip our officers with high-tech tools,” Edward Cetnar, superintendent of the Port Authority Police Department, said in a statement.

“By leveraging innovative solutions, we are improving safety and security while also helping us better serve and protect millions of commuters, pedestrians, and passengers who use our facilities each day.”

PAPD will also be able to create a more efficient report-writing system where officers can write reports from the field to save time and increase accuracy, according to Mark43.

Another feature will be a new data analytics platform that will give insights into crime trends to inform resource allocation, according to Mark43.

Mark43 works with more than 250 local, state and federal public safety agencies to modernize policing across the country and typically takes a mobile-first approach to policing, the tech company said.

The Port Authority Police Department has the largest transit-related police force in the country. Anadolu via Getty Images
The Port Authority Police Department has the largest transit-related police force in the country. Anadolu via Getty Images
Private police-tech company, Mark43, was awarded the contract. AFP via Getty Images
Private police-tech company, Mark43, was awarded the contract. AFP via Getty Images

“It is an honor and privilege to serve the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department and work together to revolutionize the technology they use every day,” Bob Hughes, chief executive officer at Mark43, said in a statement.

“Modern public safety agencies deserve modern technology, and this collaboration underscores our commitment to empowering law enforcement agencies with innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, security, and safety. We value the importance of this partnership and are proud to leverage Mark43’s Public Safety Platform to support the Port Authority Police.”