[Berryman]

BIO-key's PocketCop 3.5 sends and receives silent dispatches and turns the smartphone into a thin client.

Along with service revolver, bulletproof vest, and dispatch radio, law enforcement officials can now add BlackBerry devices to their crime-fighting repertoire, thanks to a new mobile application.
BIO-key International released PocketCop 3.5 earlier this week. The software lets mobile law officers identify a wanted person or stolen property directly from a BlackBerry smartphone. BIO-key added integration with computer-aided dispatch systems for sending status updates silently and securely. The feature is scanner-proof, which is critical in surveillance and undercover operations, BIO-key said in a statement.

PocketCop 3.5 also takes advantage of BlackBerry's built-in browser and its "over-the-air" deployment capabilities to turn the smartphone into a thin client on demand. Automatic software updates ensure that any enhancements get installed quickly and easily, according to the vendor. An individual BlackBerry must be running device software versions 4.1 through 4.3 in order to use PocketCop 3.5.

The St. Paul Police Department in Minnesota piloted the new version of PocketCop, according to BIO-key. "It exceeded every expectation we had. CAD integration allows smartphone users much of the same functionality our officers currently enjoy from laptops," said Glen Pettit, lead IT analyst for the department, also in a statement.

The software is available only to law enforcement agencies and sworn officers of the law. For new customers, a starter pack of software for five clients and one server, National Crime Information Center access, and installation costs $5,000. For existing customers, pricing is volume dependent, the vendor said. Client software will run $349 to $649; server software ranges from $194 to $500.

Source:BlackBerry Gets Crime-Fighting App -- BlackBerry -- InformationWeek

[jakeslife]

*Yawn.*

Our bike units have been using these for a while up here...

[Berryman]

*Yawn.*

Our bike units have been using these for a while up here...

Hi Jake, "from the Pacific Northwest" - - And..? Do you know whether this application is liked/has proved useful/is in full deployment phase?

[jakeslife]

Most of the major metro bike units use older 7100 and 7200 handsets that are interfaced with NCIC and local systems to check for warrants. As far as I know that is the extent of their ability, although there are other mobile solutions that allow officers to check premise histories, updates on dispatch events, etc.

I have one friend on a major metro bike unit, and as far as I know they elect to radio information in for checking rather than use the BB.