New Technology Hits Streets With Others
Officers at the Everett Police Department will be able to perform license plate searches next year through verbal commands while driving. The department plans to install the technology in more than 75 police cruisers. The voice-recognition system will enhance officer safety by allowing them to submit inquiries for information without disrupting their concentration while driving. The Everett Police Department, as well as other city agencies started exploring approaches in 2002 to improve their operations. Everett’s information-technology manager, Joe Boland, and police Capt. Jim Couture obtained permission from the City Council and mayor’s office in fall 2003 to launch a trial system. The city had equipped just 12 of its 100 patrol cars with the system, which uses wireless transmitters. The technology also saves officers’ time by allowing them to work on police reports while on patrol.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Seattle Times (06/08/05) P. H3; Peyton, Whitely .