South Australia Police (SAPOL) has launched a pilot program to test Samsung smartphones with 300 frontline officers as part of its mobile workforce transformation initiative. The pilot aims to fine-tune the device setup and applications before a broader rollout. The executive director of information systems and technology at SAPOL, Hamish Cameron, revealed that this pilot is the first phase of a $35 million mobility program announced in 2021, which plans to equip 6,000 staff members, including 5,000 sworn officers, with smartphones.
Currently, only a few police vehicles are equipped with laptops or ruggedized tablets, which are shared among multiple officers. The mobile workforce transformation program was in its early stages in 2021 but has progressed significantly since then, leading to the live pilot with 300 sworn officers.
Cameron emphasized that the implementation of such large-scale technology programs is more complex than initially anticipated. He stated that extensive planning was necessary to reach the point where a functional pilot could be conducted. The pilot utilizes Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphones, chosen for their ability to meet a PROTECTED level of security according to federal government guidelines.
SAPOL plans to deploy computer-aided dispatch
During the pilot phase, frontline police officers can access internal intelligence briefings for their specific district or area, issue electronic expiation notices (fines), and utilize certain digital forms and workflows in the field, eliminating the need for paperwork at the office. Cameron noted that additional apps and functions will be added throughout the pilot period to enhance the devices’ capabilities.
In the coming months, SAPOL plans to deploy computer-aided dispatch, enabling taskings at an officer level and providing the communication center with the ability to track officers on a map, thus enhancing officer safety. An amalgamated search function will also be introduced, allowing frontline officers to confirm individuals’ identities across both internal and national information systems.
To address cybersecurity concerns, the smartphones are locked down and restricted to processing data through approved organizational applications and policies. Cameron acknowledged the importance of maintaining consistency and simplicity in the user experience, ensuring that staff members can easily navigate the device’s features without confusion.
Once the live pilot concludes, SAPOL intends to approach the market for the supply of the remaining smartphones required to complete the mobile workforce transformation. It should be noted that while Samsung devices are used in the pilot, the choice of devices for the broader rollout is yet to be determined.
Cameron revealed that the next phase of the transformation program will involve a much larger rollout. SAPOL will soon engage the market to expedite the delivery of thousands of phones. By the end of this year, a clearer timeline for the entire program, including long-term strategies related to user interface and application accessibility, is expected to be established.
