Aldermen approved an internet provider switch Tuesday for the Brookhaven Police Department’s official computer system.

BPD’s computer system that ties into the National Crime Information Center provides invaluable information to law enforcement. NCIC is an index of criminal justice information for such things as identification records, criminal record history, fugitives, stolen properties and missing persons.

BPD has used AT&T as its service provider, but the communications company will no longer supply state-regulated upgrades for NCIC equipment. Systems must be updated to the new upgrades by April 2022, and CSpire is the new state-regulated provider.

A switch in contract from AT&T to CSpire would cost the department $270 monthly. AT&T costs the department approximately $350 per month. Because BPD has a contract already for an NCIC computer provider, the funds are already in the department’s budget.

The proposal from Assistant BPD Chief Chris Case was met with unanimous approval by the city’s Board of Aldermen.