Mobile devices free up police time

The roll-out of mobile devices by Police Scotland has freed up more than 400,000 hours of officer time in just one year, transforming policing in North Lanarkshire communities.

Response, community and frontline specialist officers in all of the force’s 13 divisions are equipped with devices enabling them to access a wide range of police systems without the requirement to return to their station and log on to a computer.

The increased functionality and ability to conduct checks and process administrative tasks while on the go has saved officers 444,496 hours.

Previously, when officers dealt with a crime, they would have to return to base to record details of the incident on the appropriate systems and to complete paperwork.

Statements which traditionally would be written into a notebook and transcribed, are now typed directly to the device through the digital notebook function Pronto.

Officers can now carry out their own checks which could previously only be done via the area control room.

When investigating missing person enquiries, they can now upload and share images immediately with fellow officers; a vital tool when time is critical.

Superintendent Craig Smith, of Police Scotland’s digitally enabled policing programme, said: “Mobile working for response, community and frontline specialist officers is a major milestone which is positively changing the operational policing approach in Scotland.

“Our officers now have vital information at their fingertips meaning they can react quickly when dealing with incidents, searching for missing people who could be extremely vulnerable or investigating crimes.

“This piece of kit is revolutionising the way officers work and is helping to keep people safe.”