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Force-wide deployment of mobile data
In a groundbreaking development, Lancashire Constabulary will become the first UK police force to deploy a multi-bearer force-wide mobile data solution involving up to 3500 users...
Police officers throughout the whole of Lancashire will soon be using high tech mobile computers that will enable them to spend less time in the station, and more time out on the streets.
O2 Airwave has secured the contract to provide a managed force-wide strategic mobile data solution based around the Airwave Mobile Applications Gateway (MAG) Service and the national secure Airwave TETRA digital communications network. The contract runs over 10 years and follows a successful pilot that saw O2 Airwave working closely with Lancashire Constabulary for almost 4 years to develop the mobile data solution.
The solution ensures that officers can always be equipped with the most appropriate mobile computer for the task at hand and provides the force with total flexibility as it starts to 'mobilise' key operational processes such as their new Crime Recording and replacement Command & Control systems.
Device options over the Airwave TETRA network range include fixed 'in-vehicle' mobile data terminals (MDT's) and highly portable TETRA enabled PDA's (personal digital assistants). For use over the O2 GPRS network, Lancashire Constabulary has selected the O2 XDA range of PDA's, which are connected by secure VPN link to the O2 Airwave MAG Service. The MAG Service is fully future proofed, being able to connect with other 'multi bearer' network services such as 3G and Wi-fi.
a secure gateway
At the heart of the Airwave data solution is the Mobile Applications Gateway (MAG) Service. The MAG Service has been developed specifically with the needs of public safety users in mind. Hosted inside the Airwave secure environment, the MAG Service connects to a variety of wireless networks and devices. It allows the customer to manage large numbers of users on the system including security of access, authentication and password management. Built on 'carrier grade' industry standard hardware and software the MAG is designed to be highly resilient and is designed to support over 100,000 users nationally.
The main users of the Airwave data service will be front line operational officers. Amongst many applications they will be able to send and receive colour images of wanted, suspect and missing persons; Check local intelligence databases against suspect persons or vehicles, and reports of missing persons; Undertake searches on the Police National Computer to check for wanted and missing persons as well as stolen, un-insured and un-taxed vehicles and driver licence details; Enter a wide range of reports direct to their portable computer and then transmit these directly back into force systems; Receive accurate details of incidents and emergencies direct from control room operators and then enter reports of completed incidents directly from the scene; Have instant access to search other force information sources; Receive remote briefings; Manage emails and take calls from members of the public and colleagues, together with contacts and diary appointments whilst away from the station
The benefits will assist in helping to cut down the time officers spend in police stations by at least one hour per day per officer as well as reducing unnecessary paperwork, reducing unnecessary radio messages and relieving pressure on over-stretched police control rooms. By minimizing the need for patrolling officers to return to their stations it will give them more time in their local communities patrolling their beats.
Stuart Fillingham, Head of ICT for the force, said, O2 Airwave has been working with our own development teams and operational officers for almost 4 years now to develop this solution. Breaking new ground such as this is never without challenges both for the customer and the supplier. Airwave's determination to deliver, together with their strong understanding of the police customer has helped us to reach this milestone development together.
There were several reasons behind our decision to award such a strategic long-term contract to O2 Airwave. A big factor was their ability to understand our special requirements and build the solution around these requirements. Our confidence in the product developed with O2 Airwave is reflected in the 10 year duration of this contract. Over the next couple of years we will be developing new mobile versions of our key police systems such as crime recording and command and control. This will involve significant investments in internal resources and we therefore required a future-proofed, long-term mobile data platform that will support these developments well into the next decade. The 10 year O2 Airwave MAG solution provides us with this re-assurance.
Groundbreaking development
Lancashire Constabulary has selected O2 Airwave to support 10 year force mobile data development plan, which is part of a strategic investment by the force, designed to reduce unnecessary paperwork, reinforce its nationally recognised levels of quality and performance and provide the public with more visibility of patrolling officers.
Commenting on the announcement, Roger Marsden, Mobile Data Programme Director for O2 Airwave, who has been working on the mobile data solution since its inception, said, We have put a tremendous amount of effort into developing and building a resilient and flexible mobile data solution that is able to support such a wide ranging and large-scale complex roll-out. The police are under immense pressure to increase officer visibility and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. By choosing the O2 Airwave mobile data solution, Lancashire Constabulary will now be able to fully exploit the Airwave MAG Service and other O2 products to address these areas.
