New mobile data tools to speed up stop and search and identity verification

Airwave has launched two new mobile data products – Mobile Stop & Search and Mobile Validate, designed to help police carry out stop and search and identity verification procedures.

Airwave Mobile Stop & Search allows officers to use PDA (personal digital assistant) and MDT (mobile data terminal) devices to complete stop and search forms electronically.

Currently stop and search forms are completed on paper at the scene and then re-entered into the force’s IT systems when the officer returns to the station. Mobile Stop & Search enables officers to complete these forms remotely – removing the need for time-consuming data re-entry.

The mobile-based forms have been designed to allow faster information capture by giving much of the required information with prior PNC (Police National Computer) and voters’ checks – reducing the time needed to conduct each stop and search.

Richard Bobbett, Airwave chief executive, said: “There are two main problems with stop and search as it currently stands: it takes too long to complete the forms and requires data re-entry at the station, allowing mistakes to creep in through human error. Airwave’s Mobile Stop & Search solves both these problems by reducing the time it takes to complete the forms, and ending the need to re-enter data.”

He said it will also improve the service to the public by reducing the amount of time needed for each search procedure.

The Mobile Stop & Search application supports mobile printing connections to allow form and receipt printing where necessary. The data can be carried on Airwave’s TETRA network and can also be supported on GPRS where needed.

The Airwave Mobile Validate for PDAs and MDTs will help combat the use of false identities by individuals being stopped and questioned. It allows officers mobile access to identity validation sources such as the electoral role in order to confirm the identity of an interviewee.

This speeds up the identity verification process and increases the chance of accurately identifying a suspect. The safety of police officers is also enhanced as dangerous suspects can be identified in a much shorter timeframe.

Mr Bobbett said: “Identity verification is a very important part of a policeman’s job, but one which can be time consuming and inefficient. Mobile Validate allows the police to check identities via mobile data, freeing up radio frequencies and control room resources for priority communications.”