Wednesday 18 April 2012

Police Officer Safety When Using a Mobile Computer

By Allyson Westcot


Not so many years ago, police handled all their forms by hand in the auto and on typewriters or word processing software back at their desks. Today, with mobile computing and machines like rugged notebooks in their autos, police cruisers have practically become mobile offices where they can run plates, send reports, retrieve information and handle much of the "paperwork" instantly.

The usage of computers in police cars today has improved plenty of other aspects of the job, and has made it even safer for officers. Various benefits of this computerization have also made life safer for residents, as the police have fast access to up-to-date information they may not have had before.

One of the biggest benefits of using a portable computer in a police automobile can really also be a drawback if officers are not careful. But this is true of about any constructive technology. The heavy use of computers in business has made fast work of things that used to be much more time-consuming (spreadsheets, typing documents, consumer info management), but has given way to the rise of repeated motion injury and carpal tunnel syndrome. Anything with an upside, like the ability to send texts, will also have a drawback, like people texting while driving and crashing.

Most things that come with a positive aspect will customarily have some kind of downside, and laptops in police cars aren't different. A likely obstacle is distraction from what is happening outside of the auto. If an officer is in the automobile writing a report, running some kind of check or doing something that needs concentration, it's possible to not notice somebody approaching.

As long as police make absolutely sure they are in a safe and sound location before they concentrate on particular sorts of work and stay aware of their environment, this disadvantage can be minimised or eliminated.




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