Case Studies

Mobile devices for Scots police

by Mark Rowe

Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has awarded mobile operator EE, part of BT Group, with a £21m contract to supply mobile services to Police Scotland over three years.

EE is the mobile network supplier and main contractor and Motorola will supply the Pronto Digital Notebook software. The device handsets will come from Samsung; Blackberry will provide the Mobile Device Management. This national project will bring mobile devices to officers and enable them to access information remotely and spend more time on the beat.

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “This contract signifies the commitment Police Scotland and the SPA have in leading the force into a more digitally focussed future. The use of mobile devices will revolutionise the way officers and staff access systems, currently only available from desktop and laptop computers within police stations, enabling them to work on crime prevention and community-based policing to keep people safe, whether in the public, private or virtual space. We look forward to working with EE and suppliers on this project, which is a significant investment for the future of policing in Scotland.”

Operational use of the devices is expected to begin in 2019. Police say that officers and staff who receive a device will no longer have to rely on multiple sources for information that will be made available on one device whilst out of the police station, as well as the ability to record information in a secure, digital format. The devices will firstly be assigned to Response and Community Policing officers, and officers within Roads Policing and the Specialist Services Division.

David Wallace, BT’s public sector director in Scotland and chair of the BT Scotland board, said “BT’s public sector team is pleased to be leading the delivery of this transformational project which will use the latest technology to support policing in Scotland. Delivered via our EE mobile network – the biggest 4G network in the UK – today’s deal will enable thousands of police officers across Scotland to access the information they need, at the touch of a button. Our high-speed 4G network and cloud technology will free up police officers’ time so they can focus on policing in communities. We’re excited to be at the forefront of creating new possibilities through this partnership.”

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