LTE  |  2017-11-02

Victoria Police Officers Gain Real-time Information on the Beat

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

AUD $50 million contract will deliver smart, mobile technology to at least 10,000 officers.

Motorola Solutions has commenced delivery of a new mobility managed service to Victoria Police, helping to increase situational awareness, safety and productivity on the front line.

Transit police and Protective Services Officers in the Werribee area of Melbourne’s outer western suburbs were the first to access the mobility service this month.

Motorola Solutions’ complete, end-to-end managed service will enable Victoria Police members to focus on core policing activities rather than managing the technology.

At least 10,000 personnel will receive iPad minis and iPhones loaded with a mobile application to give them a technological edge in their daily work to protect community safety.

This includes 24x7 monitoring and device management as well as device support, repair and replacement services.

The solution will ultimately help officers to save time by reducing manual administration tasks, freeing them up to spend more time policing in local communities.

The technology will enable police members to obtain operational information in the field immediately while helping to preserve its mission critical radio communications for when they are needed most.

The program also supports a major goal in Victoria Police’s BlueConnect program, “Connecting police and the community through technology.”

The holistic managed service contract will run for a minimum of five years with the potential to extend to 11 years and is valued at more than AUD $50 million.

The solution includes, a mobile application developed by Gridstone, the mobile application developer that Motorola Solutions acquired in 2016. Victoria Police now joins Queensland Police in rolling out a mobile application platform developed by Gridstone to its members.

Motorola Solutions Vice President and Managing Director Steve Crutchfield said the service meets the specific needs of Victoria Police and supports their plans for future innovation.

“Frontline officers will gain access to data when and where they need it most, helping them to manage their essential daily tasks with increased efficiency and safety,” Crutchfield said.

“The mobile application delivers critical information to officers for improved decision-making. For example, it can alert officers about potentially dangerous suspects. Eventually, the application will free up officers’ time, enabling them to complete administrive tasks in the field instead of back at the station,” he said.

The mobility service also lays a foundation for Victoria Police to add improved functionality and innovation over time.

“In today’s world, emergency services are dealing with more complex threats and higher community expectations,” Crutchfield said.

“Technology innovation can help to address these challenges and bring transformational benefits to public safety” he said.