Article by: Ken Hosac, VP of IoT Strategy at Cradlepoint
Forty years ago, the only technology the police force needed was the radio and the location of the nearest pay phone. Today, officers get all of their information digitally. It’s no longer received by telephone like you see in the movies. Police radios scan dozens of channels, as there are multiple outlets to monitor, including body cameras, on-board cameras, multiple mobile phones, in-vehicle computer data terminals with Internet access, traffic-monitoring radar units and much more.
Public safety organisations such as the police, depend on reliable connectivity. This needs to be mobile, ruggedised and secure. Connections also need to be flexible to enable improved productivity and easier management of fleets and remote officers. However, many police departments are challenged with legacy in-vehicle connectivity solutions that are ageing and clunky. Modern police departments are finding reliable network connectivity with 4G LTE.
Advancements in 4G LTE have given the police opportunities to use many of the same technologies that are helping create Smart Cities. New levels of connectivity allow every level of government to be more responsive and efficient, driving improvements in how they respond to public safety threats.
These changes are helping officers streamline administrative work and freeing up more time to do what they do best.
Smart technology
Many cities are implementing ‘smart’ IoT tools in the arms race of becoming a ‘Smart City.’ Devices range from digital kiosks to sensors that alert mobile devices when a parking spot is available. Many police departments have joined the race by adopting integrated systems, which provide the ability to provide reliable information to an officer in a patrol car before a member of the public even dials 999.
Many Smart Cities have adopted the use of street lights that alert maintenance teams when a malfunction occurs. This type of technology can be coupled with gunshot detection equipment, adding the ability for lights to become slightly brighter upon detection. Or, during a chase on foot down a dark road, the lights can be adjusted to become brighter to aid in the pursuit.
Adding these capabilities into video surveillance, number plate readers and recorders – along with the ability to readily forward this information to emergency services workers, police command, control and any other necessary areas – provides significant value for police forces to be able to detect and ultimately, deter criminal activity.
Advanced technologies are helping law enforcement agencies use the manpower they have in smarter ways. Police officers have better opportunities to be at the right place at the right time, with the right knowledge at hand. This is just the tipping point to what technology can provide.
Network connectivity
With so many police technologies and applications relying on Internet connectivity, the police has increasingly shifted toward 4G LTE networks for a wide range of data-driven communication services. The reliability and security of these mobile networks must be in place for their jobs to get done. Officers need access to mission-critical applications and the Internet from anywhere – with data flowing from on-board telemetry, sensors, surveillance cameras and other devices.
At the same time, most police officers rely on small IT teams. With police vans and cars spread all over a city and with sensitive data at risk, the ability to remotely manage the network is a must. Forces are seeking the enterprise-class visibility, security and control of fixed branch networks with the durability necessary for in-vehicle use. Cloud, mobile computing, IoT and 4G/5G wireless technologies are converging to create new solutions that meet the needs of the modern-day police force.
Moving forward
As new law enforcement technology use cases constantly pop up and nationwide public safety networks progress, the need for secure, reliable connectivity that is easy for departments to deploy, manage and expand will surge. With scalable solutions in place, new technologies will allow crime fighters to enhance their ability to protect their communities.
