Mobile technology will help keep police on the front line
Police officers across Shropshire are now equipped with mobile tablet computers as part of a drive to increase the visibility of officers and reduce the need for them to return to the office.
The tablet computers enable officers to access a range of force systems remotely via a secure connection, reducing the need for them to return to the station during their shift.
In the past, officers have sometimes been desk-bound or have spent valuable time returning to the station while they gathered the information required to deal with incidents. The new technology, allows officers to remotely perform Police National Computer (PNC) checks, check photographs, access mapping information and receive incident reports.
Gareth Morgan, Assistant Chief Constable and Lead for Local Policing, said:
“The overriding aim of our new policing model is to keep officers out of the office and make them more accessible and available to the communities they serve.”
“Given the large geographical areas that we cover, providing mobile data terminals means that our officers can access the information that they need, allowing them to work more effectively and efficiently. These devices will help to keep police officers where the public want them.”
Bill Longmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, said:
"Keeping our officers on the beat is vital if we are to continue to reassure our communities and instill confidence in the service we provide. By equipping our officers with mobile data terminals we will be able to deliver a more visible and responsive service to the public.”
