West Yorkshire Police, the fifth largest police force in the UK, has saved an estimated £8.8 million based on police time saved through officers being able to access key data whilst on the beat. Each front line officer has saved an average of 145 hours per year. Following a successful trial in 2004, O2 designed a solution utilising the BlackBerry® device which now provides 2,300 front line West Yorkshire Police officers with remote access to databases such as the Police National Computer (PNC). With mobile access to such information, officers spend less time at the police station, leaving them free to focus on the core elements of their job. West Yorkshire Police now also use the BlackBerry from O2 to access the force’s main computerised intelligence system, West Yorkshire’s Search Engine (StreetWYSE). Officers can quickly download digital mugshots of suspects straight to their handheld device, which provides them with critical evidence when they are considering making an arrest. Officers can also access details of outstanding warrants and other vital information that they can use when carrying out on-the-spot public checks. Matthew Key, CEO of O2 UK, said: “This is a perfect example of O2 understanding its customers’ requirements and creating a solution to fit them. This O2 solution is designed to provide critical information exactly when it’s needed, where it’s needed. Officers are freed up to do more important tasks than grappling with paperwork.” The StreetWYSE was designed by the West Yorkshire Police IT department. It contains detailed case intelligence and supports both the PNC and Police National Legal Database. In addition to access to the StreetWYSE, the BlackBerry from O2 also provides officers with an additional means of communications as the device can be used as a telephone. In the event of a device being lost, a strict password policy denies access to confidential data and a 24/7 help desk demobilises the device within minutes. This high level of security is vital for all technology deployed by the emergency services. Officers have immediate and mobile access to the Force’s warrants database. This is a completely electronic system that delivers a warrant entered at court directly to the officer on the beat. Officers can also check the latest legal information on the Police National Legal Database – a national resource created and managed by West Yorkshire Police.
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