NYPD Police Communications Technician (PCT) Precinct Procedures Practice Test 2025 - Free PCT Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is primarily used by Police Communications Technicians (PCTs) for dispatching purposes due to its ability to facilitate efficient communication between dispatchers and field units. The CAD system allows PCTs to manage and track units responding to incidents, input incident details quickly, and retrieve information related to ongoing calls or previous incidents, all in real time.

This system enhances situational awareness and allows for better resource allocation by providing a visual overview of where units are located and what incidents are active. It is designed specifically for the needs of dispatch operations within law enforcement, making it the backbone of dispatch communication and coordination.

In contrast, the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) functions as an interface for officers in the field to communicate with the CAD but is not the primary system used for dispatching. The Global Positioning System (GPS) facilitates location tracking but is not used for managing dispatch operations. The Public Safety Network (PSN) serves different communication functions and is not solely focused on dispatch needs.