Commissioners in Marshall County are upgrading police stations across the county with new radio equipment.

"In 2019, there was an upgrade in the state-wide interoperability network that made most of the radios and mobiles that all of our municipalities use non-compliant," County Administrator Betsy Frohnapfel said.

Officials say the benefits outweigh what was a significant cost.

"It is about a $260,000 investment to our county law enforcement, and even outside of the sheriff’s department or the state police," Frohnapfel said.

The Benwood Police Department last upgraded its equipment 20 years ago. They’re already using their new devices, with features like an emergency button to press when an officer can’t speak.

"Also, we have long range, even on a portable, we can actually talk back from Parkersburg up to our place as far as Morristown, Ohio just on the walkie," Chief Frank Longwell said.

More than $80,000 was spent on the Benwood PD, with each radio costing more than $7,000.

"It gives the officers a lot of hope that if they would need communications, even outside of town, it’s better communication and new equipment,” Longwell said.

Now with an upgraded system, police can protect and serve more efficiently.

"Anything that they can do to help keep their law enforcement safe they’re more than happy to do," Frohnapfel said.