When the two-way radio was introduced to policing, it was a marvel of mobile technology. The ability to transmit one’s voice across several miles brought about increases in efficiency and safety. For decades, the two-way radio mounted in a patrol car, and later in fire departments and emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles, served its purpose well. In fact, its original function remains an important part of public safety communications.
The mobile landscape, however, has evolved. Today’s public safety professional relies on the ever-increasing advances in technology to provide tools that aid them in serving their communities. In much the same way the hand-held two-way radio developed from the in-car version, mobile technology continues to advance to include laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other internet-capable devices.
Targeted and Delivered Benefits from Modern Mobile Technologies in Policing
The key goal in adapting mobile technologies for first responders is mainly focused around transforming data efficiency. Key objectives at the specific mobile technologies level include:
- Reducing the time spent in the station
- Improve workflows by reducing processing time of policing tasks
- Increase policing efficiency by increasing accuracy and availability of information
- Enhance law enforcement capabilities by reducing redundant police officers and dispatcher tasks.
Law enforcement officers should be aware that as the nature of society changes, and policing adapts to meet those demands but there must be a willingness to adapt. There is also a need for an effective awareness of what the changes will bring and the manner in which they will require forces to adapt in the future.
What the Mobile Data Terminal Did for Public Safety
The laptop computer mounted in a patrol car, firetruck, or ambulance, originally provided some basic information which aided the users in the performance of their duties. Today’s mobile data terminals (MDT) put the entirety of the internet and designated systems at the fingertips of public safety solution providers. It offers not only information which increases productivity, but safety measures which save lives.
An MDT equipped with GPS, allows dispatch personnel, supervisors, and other units to know the location of all on-duty personnel. This feature has obvious safety implications when a law enforcement officer, for example, is not answering the two-radio. Knowing his or her precise location means help can get to where it is needed without unnecessary delay. Another advantage of GPS technology within the MDT can be found in the fire service. During a major incident, any experienced fire officer can attest that personnel and equipment logistics is a key element in firefighting. Gone are the days of paper maps and pushpins. Instead, mobile technology allows the incident commander to access integrated mapping and GPS systems to aid in vehicle staging and equipment management.
The chat features in MDTs and other mobile technologies enhance both communication and record-keeping. Chat conversations can be customized to ensure necessary personnel are included while helping to protect the integrity of any information which needs to stay secure. Detectives and SWAT team members may be preparing to execute a search warrant, for example. Chat communications can be restricted to the members assigned to this specific task. However, at the operation lead’s discretion, select members of patrol or other units can be included as needed to help ensure the safety of the scene and overall mission. Finally, all of these messages can be saved as part of the case file and used for report writing, after-action critiques, or for any purpose in which memorialization is necessary.
Mobile Technologies and Smartphones Aid Police Investigations
With mobile technologies police officers can stay connected even when not in their stations or vehicles. Law enforcement can access important information using law enforcement software and public safety software, have private communications with fellow officers and law enforcement officials, and access departmental resources.
Mobile technologies allow police officers to have easy access to important information at their fingertips. In addition, law enforcement gain access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Police National Database (PND), and the Police National Computer (PNC).
Mobile technologies working in cloud-based servers enable first responders to be able to store large amounts of data, dictate and submit reports from any mobile device, and access information from several databases.
Mobile devices also allow first responders to write electronic citations, or e-citations. Police officers can issue citations quicker and with less problems. It also eliminates the task of writing physical tickets and reduces the mountains of paperwork related with writing them.
Overall, mobile technologies minimize mistakes and therefore less citations are being removed in the courts due inaccuracies. The most important benefit of e-citations is the improvement of officer safety with less time being spent on a traffic stop and out of patrol vehicles.
Mobile Technologies Increase Situational Awareness for Officers
Mobile technologies give first responders immediate access to crime bulletins and alerts. Therefore these technologies remove the guessing game on whether you believe you saw an individual on the bulletin board. Instead, a police officer can look up the individual on his mobile device to confirm. Furthermore, an officer can use mobile technologies to show citizens pictures of wanted suspects.
Mobile technologies help reduce the need for paper and significantly reduce clutter inside a patrol car.
Mobile Technology Beyond the Laptop
Many agencies are finding the portability and versatility of tablets to be a welcome addition to their cloud based mobile technology toolkit like public safety cloud. Some have replaced the traditional laptop with a tablet and keyboard, while others use the tablet as a complement to the in-car MDT. Regardless, the inclusion of tablets and smartphones has proven their worth to public safety providers are only stand to increase in their use.
Paramedics can use these mobile devices to communicate directly with personnel in the emergency department for both instructions and to alert them of the arriving patient’s condition. Depending on the applications installed, tablets and smartphones also have the ability to aid in diagnosis and treatment procedures. They can also be used in conjunction with the computer-aided dispatch systems to exchange information with members in the communications center. This ability aids both dispatcher and EMS supervisors in determining manpower needs based on availability and location.
Another example of smartphone and tablet technology’s relevant applications can be found in forensic investigations. While crime scene investigator responsibilities can vary by agency or state, the ability to access information is a universal benefit. Having the resources of an agency’s records management system (RMS) at the scene of a crime can help investigators in multiple aspects. Comparisons to other crimes or references to prior incidents can add insight and provide additional leads during an active case. Delays associated with contacting others to access important records and relay the information can be largely eliminated by having the Police RMS available on a tablet or other mobile device.
Mobile Devices Clear Radio Traffic
As mobile technology evolved from two-way radios to vehicle-mounted laptops to the use of tablets and smartphones, computer aided dispatch and mobile technologies have served as a means to enhance the data exchange benefits of these devices.
The flexibility of using modern mobile technologies means they will grow as new technology improves or even new systems are introduced. Modern dispatch workstations in a dispatch center now resemble that of NASA’s mission control. However, thanks to modern technologies, CAD and mobile technologies keep a vast amount of data organized and readily available.
Mobile Technology Not Just for Those Wearing a Badge
Public safety organizations are often associated with only those personnel who hold certifications in the agency’s specialty such as law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical services. While police officers, firefighters, and paramedics obviously play a key role in their agency’s mission, there is a host of staff behind the scenes that help make the operation run smoothly. The benefits of mobile technology are not lost on these important functions.
Those involved in fleet management often use portable technology to catalog repair records, determine scheduled maintenance needs, analyze wear and tear, and evaluate fuel efficiency. Members of a law enforcement agency’s evidence and property room function have long known the advantages of proper tagging and categorizing their items in their charge.
Mobile technology integrated with the RMS helps keep track of evidence and other items by scanning their movements directly into the associated case file. This creates a permanent record within the RMS which details the chain of custody for each item. Finally, human resources staff have found benefits in mobile technology through the application process, background checks, and at off-site recruiting events, just to name a few.
Mobile Technologies Streamline Administrative Processes
There are a variety of ways in which mobile technologies can be advantageous to law enforcement and first responders. Three specific categories relating to improving the effectiveness of first responders:
- Increased productivity by field units
- Officer safety and accountability
- Administrative and management needs.
Administrative offices can benefit from real-time data through data management and other mobile technologies. For instance, law enforcement or administrators can access various locations or programs and can be instantly changed as circumstances dictate.
The mobile landscape for public safety is destined to continue its growth. By having the mobile technologies, RMS and computer aided dispatching systems part of a practical and portable tool, agencies will undoubtedly improve the effectiveness and efficiency with which they serve their communities.
Ultimately, one of the main buy-in factors for law enforcement in embracing modern mobile technologies and other technologies is that it reduces the time spent on administrative tasks.
Police officers want to use technology for their advantage, which often means getting back on the streets to save lives and protect their community.