Leveraging the Internet of Things in Law Enforcement Data Management

Today, everything is at our fingertips. This instant feature has become almost expected in a world where our patience and attention spans have dwindled. Faster is better. Instant, real-time data is expected and is becoming more critical in law enforcement.   

What is the Internet of Things? 

The internet of things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices in objects that can send and receive data through the internet. For law enforcement, devices, from phones to protective vests, can send out data to be used for surveillance, information or other purposes. 

The internet of things also includes body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, license plate readers and many other devices and fixtures. Compiling this information and making it available in real time keeps police departments connected and working efficiently.  

IoT Benefits and Challenges 

IoT has proven to be a valuable asset for law enforcement agencies. Having real-time access to an unfolding situation helps personnel respond to it appropriately. IoT can also provide critical information to officers in the field. For example, when officers pull over a vehicle, information about the vehicle and potentially the driver can be available before officers even approach the vehicle. Through the interconnectedness of devices, officers have access to the data they need. Additionally, if necessary, this data can be used to provide evidence in a case. 

However, the volume of data coming from devices and fixtures can become overwhelming and difficult to sift through. Plus, agencies may not have internal systems compatible with all data types, meaning they could miss out on crucial information simply because of the form the data is in.  

Solutions 

Efficiently leveraging the volumes of data an agency collects is critical to their success. Their solution should include the following: 

• – Compatibility with all forms of data, ensuring important data is not missed due to its format. 
• – The ability to handle all data coming in, no matter how large the volume. 
• – The ability to sort the data. 
• – Access to databases and industry-standard ESRI maps to help make sense of the data as a whole. 
• – The ability to make real-time data accessible to the whole team whether they are in the office or in the field. 

To see how Getac Real Time Command leverages the internet of things and helps manage vast amounts of data, watch the demo here. 

For information on the benefits of the Getac Real Time Command, contact a Getac Video Solutions representative today.