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Durham Constabulary goes high-tech with mobile PDA solutions from Airwave
Durham's frontline police officers to be issued with hand-held computers in the coming months.
Airwave has announced that it has been selected by Durham Constabulary to deliver mobile information solutions. This is part of the NPIA led government initiative to cut red tape and keep police on the streets through the use of hand-held computers.
The first of 50 rugged touch screen computers will go operational before the end of March with 100 more expected to be in the hands of response officers and beat teams before the end of September. An additional 80 will be made available to traffic policing units within 18 months.
The programme will also include the installation of special de-mountable computers in 65 police vehicles by next autumn that will offer the same state-of-the-art mobile data technology.
In the first year all the computers – whether hand-held or vehicle mounted – will give officers access via the Airwave Mobile PNC and Mobile Validate applications to the police national computer, quick address and voter register details, the force's "Memex" intelligence system and satellite navigation facilities.
The capability of the system is expected to be expanded with the roll out of Airwave Mobile Command and Control, Airwave Mobile Reference Guide to provide access to the police national legal database, Airwave Email and Personal Organiser, and an enhanced version of Airwave Mobile PNC & DVS which will provide access into the DVLA's licence and photographic records. Following evaluation these systems and devices may be introduced, by the end of the second year.
Chief Inspector Ian Butler, the force's Business Change Manager, said, "The new issue equipment allows officers out on the street to get information from the force's computer systems without having to return to the office and, at the same time, further reduces bureaucracy by enabling them to directly input details."
The ability to access and send information while being out in the field is becoming increasingly important for today’s police officers”, said Chris Elliot, General Manager at Airwave, "and it will soon become a mission-critical requirement for forces nationwide.”
By the end of March 2010 nearly a third of Durham Constabulary’s operational officers will have access to the new mobile computers under the Government funded deal.
