Victoria Police to upgrade to iPhones, iPads supplied by Motorola

MOTOROLA will supply about 10,000 police officers with iPhones and iPads so administrative tasks can be performed on the road, the state government has announced.

Motorola will supply about 10,000 police officers with iPhones and iPads so administrative tasks can be performed on the road. Picture: Eugene Hyland

MOTOROLA will supply about 10,000 police officers with iPhones and iPads so administrative tasks can be performed on the road, the state government announced today.

The new technology will replace Victoria Police’s antiquated fax system of sending out information and allow officers to file reports and look up intelligence while on the road.

The rollout of the smartphones and tablets will begin in the middle of this year — six months later than was promised when the Mobile Technology Project was announced as part of a $227 million upgrade in police technology.

The government has said the awarding of the tender was delayed so devices for an additional 3000 recruited police could be written into the contract.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said this was the most significant technology upgrade to frontline policing since putting radio systems in patrol cars.

“It will be a really important way police can get access to information. It will save a huge amount of time and keep the police out on the streets.”

She said there was also a voice capacity for the phones and that there would be a 24-month rolling upgrade program for the phones.

The first officers will get the devices in the middle of the year with 5000 expected to be deployed by the end of 2018.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Jack Blayney said the technology would see the end of fax machines being used for Victoria Police.

He said police could check vehicle and licence details and search for intelligence on properties they were attending.

“This means our police officers will be more likely out in the field to be more responsive to community calls.”