For decades, police have relied on various dispatch systems to help them locate nearby incidents as well as send a team to the site in question. Police departments are constantly trying to increase safety for their police officers. With every officer carrying a personal cell phone or other mobile device, agencies should leverage technology as much as possible, delivering vital information to officers via whatever mobile device they have.

According to a September 2016 Police Magazine survey, 84 percent of agencies indicated that they use mobile field technology. Yet most were not embracing the full possibility for maximizing safety and police effectiveness with a state-of-the-art mobile-force mindset. While incorporating mobile solutions and apps into law enforcement practices does not solve crimes itself, it can certainly increase both public and officer safety.

Best-case scenario

Using cutting-edge mobile technology has transformed the way police officers respond to calls in many cities and significantly improved officer safety. Officers in those areas no longer walk into a scenario equipped with little more information than the address.

Instead, using computer-aided dispatch software and specialized police software, they have access to real-time information. When responding to a scene, they can pull up suspect history, mug shots, previous incidents, guns registered to the residents or occupants, potential hazards, and other critical information in their car via a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Instantaneous access to data via a mobile device enables officers to better control situations untethered from their vehicles. They can also efficiently document the incident, record interviews, and take photos of evidence and the scene that can be accessed by other officers and stored on department servers. If necessary, they can also quickly alert other law enforcement personnel of unfolding situations.

Use Cases

Mobile tools are providing more information to officers in a variety of settings today. While several examples exist of use by community and state police forces, technology has been effective in transforming how college campus police departments operate. Here are a few customer quotes confirming the use of mobile tools to increase effectiveness:

1. “Easy to navigate and input information which allows the officers to stay in the field for more community policing. The program is available on any device which makes it easier to deploy to the officers in the field.” – Cassandra Bailey, Georgia State University
2. “ARMS Mobile originally envisioned as a lightweight, browser-based CAD/RMS has quickly turned into a full-featured CAD/RMS client for field personnel. No more clunky, heavy clients with unreliable local databases to install and maintain. Log in from anywhere, on any device with a browser to get work done.” – Greg Katz, Town of Billerica, MA

Case in Point

Keeping police in the field, instead of stuck behind a desk, is achieved with tools from technology companies that work specifically with police departments, such as ARMS. Access to their mobile solutions is available through any device with either a Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. ARMS gives officers access to interact with CAD, NCIC, and other databases, as well as the ability to complete case reports from a mobile device.

Contact us for more info or a demo at (800) 365-9962 or via sales@arms.com.