The Tulsa Police Department's new reporting capabilities allow officers to complete field interviews, incident reports and accident reports online. According to George Smith, systems development and support manager for the Tulsa Police Department, this new capability has significantly increased officer and overall department efficiencies.
"Prior to the installation of this system, officers submitted reports using traditional paper documents," said Smith. "That cumbersome, timely process has been completely transformed with the adoption of the new wireless system. Officer efficiency has increased both on the street and in the office, freeing up time to do what they do best -- serve and protect our citizens."
The $1.4 million wireless data system was incorporated into the city's existing data radio network. Featuring 450 laptops and docking stations in police vehicles, Motorola's software and vehicular radio modems provide the link to the city's wireless infrastructure. The system utilizes software enabling Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), messaging, wants and warrants inquiries, field interviews and incident and accident reporting capabilities. The Wants & Warrants module includes access to local, state and federal databases.
Since formal acceptance, the Tulsa Fire Department also has joined the system. Other city departments and agencies will likely utilize the network once funding is secured.
In addition to expediting the report writing process, Smith notes the system has also saved time and department resources with regard to warrant searches.
"Again, prior to implementing the wireless data system, warrant checks were requested by officers over the radio with results also communicated via radio," said Smith. "However, when radio traffic was heavy, it was often difficult to complete this procedure. Now, officers have immediate access to warrant information through the wireless infrastructure. The mobile computer has become an officer's most powerful public safety weapon. And they
don't want to go to work without it."
Due to the wealth of information available through the system, Smith said officer safety has also been substantially increased.
