BKYI - .11
Alaska Police Department Implements Award-winning Mobile Data Project
BIO-key's PocketCop(R) and BlackBerry Smartphones Improve Information Access in the Field
Press Release
Source: BIO-key International, Inc.
On Monday July 27, 2009, 7:00 am EDT
WALL, N.J., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BIO-key International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BKYI - News), a leader in finger-based biometric identification and wireless public safety solutions, announced today a new customer award from the Soldotna, AK Police Department, which has issued PocketCop, BIO-key's law enforcement mobile data solution, to its patrol officers and command staff on BlackBerry® smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM - News). In addition to having wireless voice communications, email and Internet access using their BlackBerry smartphone, patrol officers can also now use PocketCop to query the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Previously, to get background information on a vehicle or person of interest, the officer would have to call the regional dispatch center over the radio and wait for the query to be run and the results returned. If a DMV photograph was needed to verify identity or locate a suspect, the officer had to drive back to the station for a faxed copy. Now the officer can get the information, including photos, on scene within seconds and without tying up a dispatcher.
"I'm as concerned with getting the most out of our limited resources as any other executive," said Soldotna Police Chief John Lucking. "Our business is to be a visible presence on the streets, not waiting on the radio or chasing down paperwork. PocketCop has made our entire department more efficient."
The Department looked at in-vehicle mobile data options, but found that a smartphone-based approach would be more cost-effective and convenient. Not only is a BlackBerry smartphone much less expensive than a ruggedized laptop, but having a multi-purpose device meant that officers wouldn't need a separate cell phone, audio recorder and digital camera any longer. With a BlackBerry smartphone they can also send email or get Internet-based information such as Amber Alerts just as they would on a laptop.
But according to Chief Lucking, the deciding factor was the added flexibility that PocketCop on BlackBerry smartphones offers. "With our extensive riverfront park and campgrounds system, our officers are often outside of their vehicles. With PocketCop they can conduct a field interview or run a plate from anywhere. They're also automatically alerted when another officer gets a stolen car or wanted person hit, so they're always available for backup when needed."
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recently selected the Soldotna Police Department and its PocketCop on BlackBerry smartphones implementation as a winner of its 2009 Innovation in Information Technology Award.
"On behalf of BIO-key, I congratulate the Soldotna Police Department on this achievement," said Ken Souza, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BIO-key's Law Enforcement Division. "I'd also like to personally thank the Anchorage Police Department, another BIO-key customer, for providing the ongoing technical support to help make this a success."
BIO-key is a member of the BlackBerry® ISV Alliance program.
About BIO-key
BIO-key International, Inc., headquartered in Wall, New Jersey, develops and delivers advanced identification solutions and information services to law enforcement departments, public safety agencies, government and private sector customers. BIO-key's mobile wireless technology provides first responders with critical, reliable, real-time data and images from local, state and national databases. BIO-key's high performance, scalable, cost-effective and easy-to-deploy biometric finger identification technology accurately identifies and authenticates users of wireless and enterprise data to improve security, convenience and privacy and to reduce identity theft. Over 1,000 police departments in North America use BIO-key solutions, making BIO-key the leading supplier of mobile and wireless solutions for law enforcement. (http://www.bio-key.com)
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Company Contact: BIO-key International, Inc.
Myles Tillotson
267-664-5594 |
