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Mobile devices free Thames Valley Police officer time to crack down on crime
This study looks at how Windows Mobile-Based Devices give back up to 200 work hours annually per officer at Thames Valley Police...
Microsoft Corp. and Thames Valley Police (TVP), the largest non-metropolitan police force in the UK, with over 4,000 police officers, have announced the completion and trial results of a Microsoft® Windows® Mobile™-based solution, designed to provide officers with secure access to key police systems including the Police National Computer (PNC), Voters Register and many others. Following positive feedback from officers using the Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC Phone Edition devices, and proven organisational benefits, including an annual time saving of up to 200* work-hours per officer; TVP has announced it will now double the number of devices deployed year on year to 2006.
In trial since September 2004, the Windows Mobile-based solution provides Thames Valley Police with a scalable, flexible and, importantly, a secure solution to address their police officers’ need for information. The solution has also been designed to address the unique security concerns around police officers carrying, connecting to, and managing sensitive information on the move, using strong password protection and encrypting all communications sent and received on the devices. These industry-leading security measures exceed the stringent security requirements of the Thames Valley Police Force.
Designed to enable officers to stay on the streets longer, cracking down on crime, Thames Valley Police has recorded the following organisational benefits during the trial period:
Up to one hour saved each day, per officer, (up to 200 work-hours annually per officer) by processing information directly on Windows Mobile-based devices, streamlining processes and cutting down on paperwork
Officers enabled to run an average of 60 per cent more Police National Computer (PNC) checks while on patrol
Speedy (15 second) access to PNC information leading to documented bookings and arrests
98.5% system reliability leading to high end-user acceptance
Following the trial results, Assistant Chief Constable Alex Marshall said, “Keeping officers out on the streets longer will contribute towards achieving public reassurance within Thames Valley’s communities. The introduction of these secure mobile data units with access to PNC and e-mail at their fingertips, not only provides value to TVP, but is undoubtedly improving our service to the public.”
“This is a fantastic example of how Windows Mobile devices can help police authorities deliver an even greater service to their local communities through a secure, familiar and powerful solution,” said Jason Langridge, UK mobility business manager with Microsoft's Windows Mobile and Embedded Devices division, Microsoft UK. “200 extra hours on the street, per officer, is great news for the people of Thames Valley”
Trial officers unanimously agree that the new devices help them do their jobs more efficiently and serve the Thames Valley communities better: “As an operation police officer, I have to say this is the most impressive, useful piece of equipment I have come across in my 12 years as a police officer. All of my colleagues who have seen the mobile device working agree,” said PC Simon Feist, Oxford Operations Team.
During the trial the mobile devices have helped officers arrest many suspects: In January, two officers running an Automatic Number Plate Recognition operation, in the Thames Valley area, were alerted that a passing car should be stopped. After doing so the officers used their Windows Mobile-based devices to access the PNC to check the driver and passenger’s details. Within 15 seconds the officers gained valuable information - both were wanted for Fraud and were arrested immediately.
The Thames Valley Police solution is built on Microsoft’s .NET Compact Framework and runs on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile software platform. The system’s Service Oriented Architecture provides a powerful and secure method for officers to access the offenders' register and the electoral roll via the Police National Computer, without requiring a permanent connection to the network.
