UNC Charlotte police introduce new iPad initiative

UNC Charlotte’s Police and Public Safety Department (PPS) has launched a new initiative to equip all campus officers with an iPad for use in the field. It is an effort to increase police proficiency through cost-effective measures.

“We are a research-based police department,” said Jeffrey Baker, UNC Charlotte chief of police. “We continually strive to stay out in front by researching methods of policing that can help ensure that we are doing the best in providing a safe and secure environment.

“Part of that was looking at a way to provide our officers in the field with just about everything they would need or could use at a fraction of the cost of the traditional laptop in the squad car,” he added.

Traditionally, officers use a laptop in their squad car to assist them with their duties in the field, such as issuing alerts, researching criminal history and accessing specific police databases. However, there are prohibitive costs associated with outfitting UNC Charlotte squad cars with laptops and the necessary infrastructure.

Baker explained that the specialized iPad—at about $500 a tablet and no infrastructure needed—serves as a quality, low-cost alternative to the laptop while providing some additional features.

“The iPad allows for all the same features as a laptop while being completely portable,” said Baker “Officers can carry the iPad much like they would carry their handcuffs, radio and service weapon, and it gives them the ability to utilize the Internet while in the field to do a number of things at their fingertips.”

Before the iPad initiative, campus police had to bring all information from the field to the on-campus police station to complete reports and issue alerts.

Baker outlined how the tablets enhanced officers’ effectiveness. “iPads provide the ability to have a camera available at all times in the field allowing officers to take immediate photographs of crime scenes or even video footage. The iPads go above and beyond what the average police laptop could provide with the key advantage being mobility.”

College campuses are mandated by federal law to issue timely alerts to the campus community for specific crimes and emergencies, which Baker emphasized as a critical reason to deploy this initiative.

“Based on the Clery Act, it’s critically important that universities alert the campus community of crimes and weather-related emergencies in a timely manner,” he said. “This device allows our department and our officers to alert the campus community from the scene of a crime or emergency within a matter of minutes.”

In addition to an increased efficiency, Baker noted safety aspects provided by the iPads. Each iPad has GPS and tracking capabilities that allow PPS dispatch to know the exact locations of officers, which can aid in terms of strategic deployment should an emergency arise; the tracking could provide unparalleled accuracy of the location should an officer require assistance or a member of the campus community need medical attention.

Throughout the iPads deployment, Baker said the department will remain attentive to the research aspect of the initiative to ensure it achieves maximum effectiveness; he added reporting data from this deployment could aid other departments that implement a similar project.