A request from Sheriff Wesley W. Reed for a new public safety communications system for the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office met with the approval of the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors during its Nov. 8 meeting, according to a press release from the county.

Officials noted in the release that the board unanimously approved the project and appropriated $315,000 for the purchase and installation of the Motorola Solutions equipment.

Farmville 801 District Supervisor and Board Chair Pattie Cooper-Jones said in the release that “public safety is the highest priority for the board of supervisors. I’m glad we have found the solution that will provide the sheriff what he needs and is financially smart for our citizens.”

The new system utilizes the industry standard P25 technology that meets modern radio requirements and will include mobile and portable radios for the sheriff’s office, Prince Edward County Animal Control and Prince Edward County Emergency Management, the release cited. It added that this upgrade brings the sheriff’s office communications capabilities up to current public safety standards and replaces antiquated analog radio equipment. The project will also create an independent — yet fully interoperable — communications dispatch center, officials said.

“I sincerely thank the board of supervisors for their support on this critical project,” Reed said in the release. “This new radio system will provide the communications capabilities and coverage desperately needed in Prince Edward County. Improving communications improves public safety and improves officer safety. Those are my goals.”

The release concluded by stating that the new system should be operational by spring 2019.