The Northern Territory Police Force will shortly begin trials of its Next Generation Policing Toolkit.

This will include the roll out of new large form factor mobile phones as a possible replacement of the aging iPads currently in use.

The toolkit will consist of a suite of applications including two methods of incident information capture by front line members; push to talk communications; and improved dispatch management. The trials will assess the viability and useability of the new tools and recommend some or all of the applications to be implemented as standard operating procedure.

Commissioner of Police, Reece Kershaw APM, said the trials will also assess the practical aspects of creating a back office data entry capability to perform some or all of the administrative functions currently imposed on front line members in the performance of their duties.

“If successful, the Next Generation Policing toolkit will allow Police officers to spend more time on the front line, by reducing the amount of time spent on administrative data input,” Commissioner Kershaw said.

“NT Police will continue to look for ways to improve our service delivery, and part of this includes adapting to the changing environment.”

This trial will also build on the current cross jurisdictional partnership with the Queensland Police Service which addresses practical efficiencies of information sharing and provides opportunities for the sharing of technology and expertise.