Trooper Thomas J. McCullough
Troop B – Ocala

Mobile computer terminals (MCT) installed in each troopers vehicle have been a very valuable tool during the Hurricane Katrina detail in Mississippi. Troopers on detail in Mississippi have been able to communicate with others back home in Florida through the use of Outlook Express and/or through the SmartCop email system. They have also had the capability of running driver license, license plates and wanted checks through FCIC/NCIC.

Trooper Thomas McCullough, while on routine patrol in Diamondhead, Mississippi, observed a man and a woman sneaking through yards of citizens with damaged property. He stopped them and questioned them. They did not have proper identification so he ran the names they gave through the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (D.A.V.I.D.) system. Nothing came back on the individuals. Trooper McCullough then noticed a credit card and other documents in the woman’s possession, so he ran the name on the credit cards through the D.A.V.I.D. system. The name came back along with a photograph of the woman in custody. The woman was subsequently arrested for an outstanding warrant for no valid driver license and the male, who was later identified using D.A.V.I.D., was arrested for an outstanding burglary warrant, also out of Florida.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to lead the nation in technology, and once again our tools have proven to be a great success, even two states away from home!