Here is the transcript of the channel 9 news story on the WA Police digital radio system.
This is the thread to use for discussion on the system from TV news or the West Australian article
"Rapid Response"
WA Police are joining the digital age with new technology promising faster response times and improved safety. The upgrade includes in-car computers, secure communications and a satellite tracking system as Grant Taylor reports.
Grant Taylor: It's a technological boost set to revolutionise the way police do business. Over the next twelve months around 600 vehicles will be given a high-tech makeover. The centrepeice an on-board computer system providing officers with instant access to the police database from anywhere in the city.
Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan: They don't have to wait to do a vehicle check, they don't have to wait to do a motor drivers license check they can go simply onto the computer and it comes back within seconds.
Grant Taylor: But the computers will also boost safety. Police will be able to check before they even stop a car if it's stolen, or if the owner has a violent record or a firearms license. And should officers get into trouble, a new satellite tracking system is also being fitted to show supervisors exactly where each car is at all times.
Insp. Andrew Henderson: We will be able to see on the screen where the vehicles are. If officers need assistance we will be able get that to the location where they are.
Grant Taylor: The old analogue radio network is also being replaced with a new digital system which criminals can't access. Eavesdropping on police is currently easy and cheap. Eighty dollars will buy a portable scanner like this one, but they'll be useless when the new digitally encrypted radio network comes online.
The entire upgrade is costing taxpayers about $60 million. That's about 10 percent of the annual police budget. But the commisioner says the public will see results almost immediately.
Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan: What you'll see is faster dispatch times and faster response times.
Grant Taylor: Grant Taylor, National Nine News