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UK takes criminal intelligence to the front line of policing

Based on the same Terrestrial Trunked RAdio (TETRA) digital professional mobile radio standard currently being installed by the Cape Metropolitan Council in Cape Town, the UK has successfully implemented the first phase of a universal communications infrastructure that will eventually cover 53 police services throughout England, Scotland and Wales and span more than 2500 sites.

BT Airwave is providing the digital service for the UK system, and Motorola, a leading supplier of TETRA equipment, has provided an extensive range of hand portables, mobiles and motorcycle terminals. One of the biggest expected benefits of the system will be the extension of criminal intelligence from the stationhouse into the hands of those on the frontline of policing by giving officers immediate access to photographs, maps, fingerprints, car registrations and more. The TETRA units will also provide additional benefits over normal broadcast communications by allowing users to make one-to-one radio and group calls as well as to link into external telephony.

Deployment of the UK system followed the successful completion of three months of extensive testing carried out by the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO), in cooperation with the National Police Services. During the scenario based-testing period, 300 police officers and support staff from UK police forces had the opportunity to try the system's core functions under simulated and non-simulated operational conditions.

The conclusion of the tests found that the basis for a good communication system is now in place and many participants are looking forward to receiving the greater clarity and coverage that Airwave will offer. In fact, 90% of participants found reception was clearer and service reach was significantly improved. Users were not only impressed with the reliability and robustness of the service but the ability to cut out background noise, the emergency button feature and encryption capabilities.

The terminals also allow the creation of virtual communities of emergency or public service groups. For example, it will be possible for the police in Lancashire to link up with the Fire and Rescue Services and the local Ambulance Service to facilitate smoother operations and intercommunication when these services join the Airwave Service.

For further details contact Mark Ellis, Motorola CGISS on tel: (0944) 1256 484 505; e-mail: [email protected]

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