Mobile technology is allowing Dorset Police officers to access police and administrative systems while they are on the beat, so they are able to patrol their county’s streets for longer.
Police officers and police community support officers have been issued with BlackBerry devices from which they can search police systems for information about a person, vehicle or location, as well as information on incidents and crimes.
The BlackBerrys, 50 of which have been issued in an initial pilot, also enable them to manage their administration including emails and diary appointments.
Chief Superintendent David Griffith of Dorset Police said: “It is well documented that the public expect to see police officers and police community support officers patrolling the streets. If we can increase the time they have to do this by issuing them with these devices, as well as giving them access to useful information, it can only benefit the communities they serve. “While Dorset is not the largest county it encompasses large rural areas and busy towns, and as a result, our officers spend a lot of time travelling or going back to police stations to access police systems, when the purpose of their role is to be out, on the streets making Dorset safer and feel safer. In short, these devices will ensure that our officers who are out on the streets are as effective and efficient as possible.
“So if you see an officer using a BlackBerry while patrolling your neighbourhood, then rest assured they are on official police business.”
Funding for the procurement of the BlackBerrys and the applications came from a National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) grant in December 2009. The only investment Dorset Police has made is to provide staff to prepare the BlackBerrys for use and train officers to use them.
Chief Supt Griffith added: “Throughout any spending cuts past or future, we are committed to keeping officers on the streets to provide a first class service to our communities – this technology will help us to do that.”
