MVPD Exploring Ways to Improve Productivity and Officer Safety in the Field with Samsung
LETTER FROM POLICE COMMISSIONER SHAWN HARRIS
While attending the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in October, Police Commissioner Shawn Harris met with representatives from Samsung and FirstNet to discuss solutions to improve productivity and officer’s safety in the field with the use of mobile technology. One of the items discussed was Samsung Dex in Car technology. This solution by Samsung replaces old laptops, mobile data terminals (MDT) and desktop computers which allows our police officers to be more efficient in the field by using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and Samsung Dex to have a PC like experience with a mobile device.
On Wednesday, November 14th, members of the Mount Vernon Police Department’s Information Technology Unit, Training Unit and Fleet Manager along with Joe Acampora, Manager of Information Technology met with the same representatives from Samsung and FirstNet at Mount Vernon Police Headquarters to share this public safety technology.
Samsung Dex delivers an in-car computing capability by using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with a mounted display and keyboard, where the smartphone functions as the cars mobile data terminal. It also allows the police officer to transition from a desktop like experience inside the patrol car to accessing secure data from Record Management System (RMS) and other sources in real time while outside the vehicle and back at the station at a desk seamlessly. For example, photos, videos and voice recordings gathered in the field on a smartphone are also securely processed on the smartphone, reducing redundant record-keeping when back at the desk. Through a seamless interface, Samsung DeX in Car allows data stored on the officer’s phone to be swiftly and securely transferred. The use of these devices provides critical information to officers before they respond to incidents by increasing the amount of data officers can receive. Instead of relying on radio transmissions and vague descriptions, officers get high-quality images, detailed reports and real-time updates.
An MDT costs several thousand dollars to purchase and install and when the police vehicle is out of service, the MDT is not able to be transferred. Updating and replacing laptop and desktop computers costs are increasing. Samsung Dex offers a better return on investment all around. It provides more flexibility and more security at a lower cost. The phone becomes the center point for public safety and using Samsung DeX offers the ultimate in mobility while being a powerful force multiplier for law enforcement officers.
The phone is becoming the critical technology tool for public safety officials, and Samsung DeX enables officers, investigators and administrators the ability to use their Galaxy smartphone as a laptop replacement in the vehicle and in the station. The ability to have a device like DeX which gives you access to the information you need inside the vehicle and also allows you to take that information with you outside the vehicle, encourages the officers to get out of their cars and engage with the public more. We are also in talks with other vendors such as ShotSpotter a gunshot detection system that provides a mobile platform that can be accessed by officers in the field on the Samsung mobile devices.
