March 15, 2011 > Pam Lutzinger honored Pam Lutzinger honored By Meenu Gupta Photo Courtesy of Fremont PD Pam Lutzinger, Public Safety Information Technology Manager, was recently honored for her 30 years of service to the Fremont Police Department. TCV spoke with Ms. Lutzinger about her work with the department. TCV: What do you do as a System Analyst at Fremont PD? Pam Lutzinger: I am involved with our police department IT services and connections with County and State services. Most of my time is spent managing our systems. TCV: How does new technology help the PD fight crime? Pam Lutzinger: When I started we didn't have an automated system for dispatch. We wrote all the information; there was no computer system. Although there was access to State and County systems which tracked warrants and driver's license records, we didn't have any database beyond that. Now we can transfer data between units in just seconds. Faster communications gives us an edge. Photos as well as data can be quickly transferred to field units. TCV: How does the department communicate with citizens? Pam Lutzinger: We subscribed to NIXLE which allows us to communication with citizens who sign up for the service. The City also has CodeRed for phone alerts. We also provide crime reports that identify crime on an online map. Crime reports have probably been around for almost three years now. TCV: How has the department met the challenges of a weak economy? Pam Lutzinger: Like any other City, I am careful when I spend technology dollars. There was a time when we did lot of things on the leading edge but now we utilize proven technology since we cannot afford to risk errors. TCV: How would you categorize your career with the Fremont Police Department? Pam Lutzinger: It's my pleasure to be of service to the community. I am thrilled to have worked for the City for the last 30 years; it has been fulfilling. Working with technology is very interesting and a bit different from my prior service in dispatch which is, at times, heart wrenching. A lot of trauma and drama comes through on the phone. I appreciate the high level of confidence by the Fremont Police Department in my abilities through the years.