Ten Blackberry devices were recently distributed to officers to carry on their daily rounds as part of a "Pocket Blue" pilot project initiated by the county's departments of Public Safety and Information Technology. Each officer gets to use a computer for a week and then give feedback on how well it worked.
"Not only are we breaking new ground here, but we're giving our police another tool to increase their efficiency and further protect their safety," said County Executive Andy Spano. "We're constantly looking for new ways to use technology to improve government services -- and this may really make a difference."
County police Captain Martin McGlynn said getting information quickly is key for officers faced with difficult situations and the need to make fast decisions. This technology also makes it easier to check out a car or suspect, and therefore increases the likelihood that checks will be made, he said. For example, a cop on foot patrol in the airport may not routinely run plates but might be more inclined to with a handheld computer.
With the new computers, officers can tap directly into the state database to check plates and vehicles, do a license check on a driver or suspect, and see whether a gun is registered or property was stolen. Normally an officer would go through a communications desk using a walkie-talkie or return to a patrol car to use a laptop.
"This way they don't need a middleman and they're not taking up radio bandwidth," McGlynn said. "It also helps that they can stay with the person or vehicle being checked and don't have to go back to their car."
Measuring roughly 3"x4", the computers are roughly one-tenth the cost of a laptop and are especially helpful to officers who don't always work from a patrol car.
The computers are being tested by patrol cops, including those at the airport or on marine patrol (checking boat licenses), as well as the detective division. After the 30 to 45 day program, the county will decide whether the program should be continued and/or expanded.
Westchester Office of Communications
