The latest technology in computer tablets will soon be available to police officers in regional areas of Tasmania.

Tablets will be issued to officers based at one and two officer stations around the state as part of the Support to the Frontline Strategy.

A 6 week trial of the Acer Iconia W511 tablets in the Kingston Division received overwhelming support from officers. 

“The evaluation of the trial demonstrated significant benefits in terms of saving time and paperwork,” said Assistant Commissioner, Donna Adams.

“Officers were able to undertake most of their routine enquiries and reports without having to return to a desk top computer at the station. 

Using the 3G tablets, officers submitted crash reports at the scene while waiting for a tow truck, took statements from witnesses at the scene of an incident and conducted routine system enquiries.

“Tasmania is the only state where police officers have the technology to submit crime and traffic reports and access motor vehicle information from a mobile device, and other jurisdictions are watching our innovations,” said Ms Adams. 

“Projects like the tablets, and our online crash reporting system, are about giving our frontline officers access to technology which will save them time and make their jobs easier.”

From October, the tablets will be issued to the 41 officers based at one and two person stations.  The new intake of 20 recruits in October will also be issued with the tablets.

The tablet project is funded within the Tasmania Police budget and options are being developed for further rollout.