Western Australian Police have replaced the force’s end-of-life computer-aided dispatch system with a new and upgraded Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology.
CAD systems are the essential information hub between public safety agencies and the general public.
The refreshed CAD upgrade is an overhaul of the previous computer-aided dispatch system in an $11 million deal.
WA Police Project Director, Superintendent Lance Martin. Mr Martin says that the technology can give police officers the flexibility needed for efficient police enforcement.
“This upgrade will give our officers a flexible technology platform to strengthen information sharing throughout the agency, and provide the flexibility we need to adapt to meet new challenges in the future,” he said.
This opens up the possibility of public engagement to send reports via SMS in the future. This service will depend on the clearance of legal and procedural obstacles.
The upgraded system will allow the police force to adopt their choice of technological device that caters best to specific roles.
The devices include smartphones, tablets and laptops. CCTV and other electronic and multimedia evidence to be sent directly to responding officers in the field equipped with appropriate devices.
This will allow officers to receive timely and accurate information at hand. This is an improvement to the previous CAD which faced daunting challenges of dealing with overwhelming calls over the last 15 years since its adoption.
The upgraded CAD will significantly increase the usage of internet connections and network services in Western Australia. The government is working to ensure citizens will not face disruptions of network services with the introduction of this technology.
WA Police Project Director, Superintendent Lance Martin will be speaking at our upcoming Western Australia OpenGov Leadership Forum on 15 March at Crown Events and Conference, Perth.