By Inspector Alan Honniball and Officer David Garcia
The San Francisco Police Department began issuing smart phones to its members in July 2013. Thanks to the vision and approval of Police Chief Greg Suhr, and the guidance of SFPD Chief Information Officer, Director Susan Merritt, the SFPD will be the first in the nation to issue these devices to its patrol force. Other agencies have issued similar devices, but none have had the comprehensive capabilities of the devices issued by our department, and none have had the authorization and approval from the Department of Justice.
Back in 2011, with the development of the Crime Data Warehouse, the Technology Division polled the patrol officers and field investigators asking what technology measures would be most useful in the field. The things most requested were ready access to Cal Photo, the SF Mugs database, report writing enhancements, Internet access, and easy to use, quality cameras. Our first response to this “wish list” was to issue a laptop to each officer, starting with the 232nd Recruit Class. As it turned out, laptops weren't really practical for patrol use for a variety of reasons. So it was decided that we would move in a different direction and issue the smart phone, also known as the mobile data device.
This device is not just a basic smart phone. Not only does this device have all the regular smart phone features, it also gives users access to CDW, SF Mug Shots, Cal Photo, and Department email. This smart phone has a fantastic camera, so you'll finally be able to take great photos, and video, with a department issued device. You also have a new and mobile way to identify subjects, to start and search through incident reports, locate and document crime scenes, interview witnesses, and more.
You can quickly share data and info with other officers via phone, texting, or email. You also have access to the YouTube website in the event you need to view or stream a video. There is an audio translator on the device to quickly translate up to 75 languages. And, at last, you will have access to the Internet at all times.
We began piloting the issuing of mobile devices to members of Bayview and Tenderloin Stations last June. Richmond Station, Southern Station, VRT have also been trained. Ingleside Station and Tactical will be next, followed by Northern, Park and Mission Stations in October. Taraval and Central Stations, along with Narcotics, will be trained in November. All remaining units will be issued devices in December.
All sworn members in the SFPD, from Lieutenant on down, will be issued this device. As with anything new, there is always a learning curve and the tweaking that arises after practical field application. Users have already asked about more access, such as to CLETS, and to more apps, such as “Instagram.” Officers in the field would like to have the capability to use the phones for mobile fingerprinting and DL swipes. The information possibilities are endless.
Being the first major city police agency to embark on this endeavor, the entire law enforcement community will be looking at its practicality and viability. Not only will the Smart Phone become an important tool in law enforcement, but also the San Francisco Police Department will be known as the leader and model for implementing practical field use of this mobile device.
