WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

"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