Dyfed-Powys Police looks to paperless working

Initially, officers will be provided with devices pre-loaded with applications that will give them remote and mobile access to all local and national backend systems such as the Police National Computer (PNC) and the data management tool Experian QAS, as well as the force command and control and crime and intelligence systems.

Without the need to rekey information, officers will no longer be forced to return to police stations to complete paperwork. The force says this alone will drastically increase effectiveness and officer visibility as there will be more officers out on the beat.

There will also be a focus on reusing existing laptop devices in order to maximise the return on investment.

Dyfed-Powys Police has prioritised a range of processes that will move it into the paperless environment. These include direct crime, domestic abuse, stalking and harrasment (DASH) forms, as well as collision reports and other traffic processes.

Chief Constable Simon Prince said: “The introduction of mobile technology for officers is a key part of our ‘Public First’ programme. The geography of the area we safeguard is one of our key challenges and making our services as accessible as possible, especially in our more rural communities, is a top priority.”

He added it was critical that off-line working was supported so that officers can remain visible in the community while completing all tasks digitally on a device irrespective of the mobile phone coverage.

Dyfed-Powys Police will be working with Airwave to implement its subsidiary’s Kelvin Connect’s Pronto electronic notebook and suite of policing applications to help them increase efficiencies and transform their work on the frontline.

“In addition to accessing vital backend systems from the front line, where they can key in vital information at the point of need, officers are able to re-use information digitally for the full range of policing processes that will be available through the Pronto suite of applications,” said John Lewis, chief operating officer at Airwave.

“Next, we will work together to prioritise and deploy over 30 existing police process applications to support a truly digital first for Dyfed-Powys – paperless working.”