Overloaded servers and 15 -year -old software: “major problems” of communication between citizens and SQ police officers

The agents of the Call Management Call Calls (SQ) sound the alarm: the disuse of the computer system has been generating “major problems” of communication between citizens. Nevertheless, support staff and police in the field for several weeks.

“Lately, there has been a six -minute service interruption throughout the territory. Moreover, That is to say. Meanwhile, one could no longer appeal from the population or communicate crucial information to the police in intervention. For example, When we know that it is sometimes a question of seconds to save a life. Nevertheless, it represents an eternity, “denounces the general president of the union of the public service and parapublog of Quebec (SFPQ), Christian Daigle.

When an appeal enters the 911 for an emergency in the territory served by the Sûreté du Québec. For example, emergency distributors transfer the file to one overloaded servers 15 -year -old new of the 375 police support agents represented by the SFPQ.

Installed in 11 call management centers across Quebec. Similarly, these intermediaries are therefore called upon to collect the information provided by the citizens and to transmit it to patrollers to ensure a quick and appropriate response on the ground.

In recent weeks, they have been faced with major failures of the computer -aided distribution system, software over 15 years old.

“The workstations freeze and it is necessary to restart the system completely. When bugs like these occurred before, the call could be transferred to another center. But, in recent times, we observe generalized breakdowns, ”continues Mr. Daigle, worried about the security of the population.

No lost call

The head of the distribution service. media relations at the Sûreté du Québec, Benoît Richard, recognizes that the system “has known certain slowness in recent months”. However, the SQ has started work with overloaded servers 15 -year -old new its suppliers to remedy the situation.

“There is no phone call that is lost. […] The population. when she calls the Sûreté du Québec, she will join someone, whether at 911 or on dedicated telephone lines (*4141). At the level of [traitement] Appeal. it is possible that a center has slowness, but another will take the information to be noted to transmit it to the police, “he tempers in interview with TVA Nouvelles.

Windows 7

Christian Daigle deplores that the workstations of police support agents still work under the Windows 7 operating system. marketed by Microsoft in 2009. overloaded servers 15 -year -old new According to the company’s website, its latest update dates from January 14, 2020.

“These are very old computer systems. Updates have not been made in software and there is no more computer support. The only person who gave support to the internal has changed ministry. so neither the Sûreté du Québec nor the companies that created the system have expertise, “said the general president of the union.

Even if he recognizes that Windows 7 is a solid operating system that has rendered proud services. the digital specialist Bruno Guglielminetti is surprised that it is still the overloaded servers 15 -year -old new tool for choosing an organization as nerve as the SQ.

“It is still widespread in the industrial field, because the programs are simple and you manage assembly chains. With human lives, one wonders if we should not have opted for modernization earlier. […] Certainly, it will not be easy to replace this whole ecosystem quickly. ”