New York City police officers will soon be using tablets in order to test out a new crime data app.
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton announced on Tuesday that the department will begin using hand-held tablets to test a new pilot program, according to NY1. The program is intended to provide a stream of criminal data to police officers.
"They will be able to access in their patrol car, on their walking beat, as they are responding to a crime," Bratton said. "This is the future of the New York City Police Department."
The tablets will come with a new app for the NYPD's Domain Awareness System, Metro reported. The system allows officers to access data on arrests, 911 calls, warrants and criminal complaints. Officers also have access to license plate readers, law enforcement cameras and chemical and radiation sensors.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the app provides other features to help officers, NY1 reported.
"He will see on his alert panel all 911 jobs that he or she is supposed to respond to," Tisch. "They'll get all of the 911 texts that's associated with that job."
Bratton stated the information provided by these apps will be an efficient tool in helping responding officers do their jobs, according to Metro.
"This is a significant officer safety issue- warrants at that address, people who have recently been arrested, is there a gun registered to that address- real time crime information," Bratton said.
The idea was presented to the New York City Police Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars to help fund NYPD initiatives over the years, NY1 reported. Susan Birnbaum, president of the New York City Police Foundation, commented on the organization helping with this new program.
"The commissioner's priorities are what we help support, and if technology is his number one priority, that is a program that we will support," Birnbaum said.
Bratton said there needs to be a lot of feedback from officers using the program so that necessary changes can be made to the devices, NY1 reported. He also said he sees other cities using tablets in the future.
"L.A. already has over 100 officers field-testing body cameras from different manufacturers," Bratton said. "Why re-invent the wheel? We'll basically collaborate with them."
