Beat Systems develops first integrated mobile data solution

Cheshire Police is piloting the use of mobile data technology that could lead to a significant improvement in front line policing time.

The solution has been developed by mobile data specialist Beat Systems, and is the first system that fully integrates with Niche RMS, NSPIS Command & Control, PNC, QAS and Stops.

By having remote access to multiple core operational systems using hand-held devices, front line officers are able to reduce the time spent in the station on time-consuming tasks such as data entry. Instead they are more available for community-based activities or deployment to emergencies, delivering significant operational savings.

The Beat mobile data system is easy to use and intuitive, allowing officers to interrogate back end systems, input information where appropriate and immediately update the force’s systems and complete forms and tickets without the need to return to a police station. Prior to rolling out the system, it would not have been uncommon to have to write or type the names and dates of birth of individuals arrested up to 16 times.

Cheshire Police is one of 10 UK forces to have implemented Niche RMS, which it rolled out in 2005, and is now using to handle its custody, incident management, crime and intelligence data.

Roger Thomas, UK country manager for Niche Technology, says: “The mobile data solution developed by Beat Systems for Cheshire Police is a major leap forward in the use of technology within the policing community.

By giving officers access to Niche RMS in the field, they have real-time visibility of custody, incident management, crime and intelligence data, which in turn means that they can spend less time filling in paperwork back at the station and instead spend more time on the beat.”