The first of nearly 4,000 new mobile devices have hit the frontline, to give Western Australian Police officers faster access to the information they need.
As part of an $8 million deal with Telstra, 60 iPhone 11’s have this week been issued to officers, with a further 3,000 to be delivered by Christmas.
The phones are equipped with crucial WA Police Force functions, meaning every officer will effectively have the resources of a computer at their fingertips.
The apps will allow officers to perform identity checks, search the police database, capture evidence and report crimes.
Importantly for officer safety, the devices are fitted with a duress function, which communicates an alert to the State Operations Command Centre, providing the officer’s location.
Further apps are in development which will allow officers to take statements in the field and eventually write and post traffic infringements with the touch of a button.
The roll out of the devices will reduce the need for officers to return to the station to complete administrative tasks, allowing them to spend more time policing the community.
The McGowan Government is investing more than $90-million in police technology to support frontline operations, including digital mobility, body-worn cameras, automatic number plate recognition technology and upgraded digital infrastructure at police stations.
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
“The McGowan Government is delivering a raft of digital initiatives to modernise our frontline capabilities and provide a contemporary Police Force.
“These devices will ensure our officers have fast access to information and intelligence in the field, and support them to do their jobs more effectively.
“Under the last Government, Western Australia fell behind in the level of technology available to our police.
“Our Government is fixing this and ensuring that a modern Police Force is ready and equipped with the tools they need to keep us safe.”
