Upgrading public safety communications | Featured Columnists

In the world of public safety, clear and reliable communication can mean the difference between life and death. Recognizing this fundamental fact, the Guam Police Department is progressing with a long overdue upgrade to the Government of Guam Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Communications System – a project that will transform the public safety communications landscape.

For more than 30 years, Guam’s public safety agencies have relied on the Motorola AMSS/SmartNet analog LMR system for day-to-day communications and crisis response. While this system has served the island well, evolving technologies and increasing demands have made modernization imperative. The system has also seen severe service degradation and coverage gaps as the system aged.

Guam Police Department Chief of Police, Stephen C. Ignacio, who assumed leadership with a clear vision to prioritize transitioning the island’s communication infrastructure from analog to digital. “Effective communication is absolutely vital for public safety,” Chief Ignacio said. “Upgrading to a digital system not only improves performance but also ensures our officers are connected securely and efficiently during emergencies,” he added.

A New Era: Project 25 Digital Radio System

The solution comes in the form of a new Project 25 (P25) digital LMR system, a nationwide standard widely adopted by law enforcement and emergency services across the United States. The P25 system offers enhanced coverage, better voice clarity, greater security features, and the ability to integrate with modern communication technologies such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks.

In late 2022, GPD contracted Banyan Networks out of Honolulu, Hawaii as their technical consultant to conduct a thorough assessment of the existing LMR system and to provide guidance on the next steps. The completed assessment laid the groundwork for GPD to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in January 2024, inviting qualified vendors to submit bids to provide professional Engineering and System Integration Services for the Government of Guam Project 25 (P25) Land Mobile Radio Communications System Upgrade Project.

After a competitive selection process, Motorola Solutions, Inc. was awarded the contract at the end of 2024 to design, build, and deploy the new P25 LMR system. The official kick-off meeting for this significant milestone took place in January 2025 and marked the beginning to enhance public safety communications.

Factory Acceptance Testing in Illinois

From August 18 through 21, 2025, an 11-member delegation from Guam traveled to Elgin, Illinois, to participate in the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at Motorola’s manufacturing facility. Led by Chief Ignacio, the delegation included representatives from the Guam Police Department, Guam Fire Department, Office of Technology, and the Bureau of Budget and Management Research.

The FAT process is a crucial step in large-scale technology deployments. It involved a series of rigorous tests and inspections to ensure that all equipment met the technical specifications, functionality, and performance criteria outlined in the RFP before shipment and installation.

On the first day, the Motorola team provided an in-depth overview of the new system, followed by initial testing procedures. The delegation was also introduced to key components such as the AVTEC dispatch consoles and the Cirrus Central software platform. These tools will enable dispatchers to manage communications effectively.

The second day included continued system testing, a comprehensive tour of the Motorola factory, and a cybersecurity kickoff meeting. Cybersecurity is a top priority for the new system and Motorola outlined how they plan to strategize to safeguard against cyber threats and ensure uninterrupted communication during critical operations. A visit to the Motorola Solutions Network Operations Center (NOC) at their Schaumburg facility provided the group with a glimpse of how committed Motorola is in providing 24-hour monitoring of the LMR system through the subject matter experts that manage the centers. They are there to assist in solving issues and providing information around the clock, 365 days a year. Additionally, the delegation observed a demonstration of Avigilon camera systems, further emphasizing the integration of video technology into public safety infrastructure.

Day three focused on resolving outstanding questions and finalizing the acceptance process. Chief Ignacio formally signed the factory acceptance documents alongside Motorola’s David Lee, the Guam LMR Project Manager. This official endorsement signaled that the system passed all tests and was ready for shipment to Guam.

Innovations at the Motorola Experience Center

To conclude the visit, the Guam delegation toured the Motorola Experience Center in downtown Chicago. There, they witnessed demonstrations of cutting-edge public safety technologies such as Command Central Aware, an advanced platform designed to provide real-time situational awareness by integrating data from multiple sources. These innovations represent the future of emergency response, enabling agencies to act with greater precision and speed.

Preparing for Deployment and Impact on Guam

Following the successful FAT, the new equipment is now scheduled for packing and shipment to Guam, with installation expected to begin in late 2025. After installation, the system will undergo a 60-day operational testing period to validate performance and reliability under real-world conditions. Final acceptance is anticipated by the end of December 2026.

Once operational, the P25 digital LMR system will revolutionize public safety communications on Guam. “This upgrade is more than just new radios,” Chief Ignacio emphasized. “It’s about giving our officers and emergency personnel the best tools to protect and serve the community effectively and safely.”

Leigh Pereda is a special projects coordinator for the Guam Police Department.