The UK government is being pressed to reduce the paperwork overload experienced by the Police whilst keeping a detailed audit trail required by government targets.  The idea is a response to the demand for more trained police officers on the street rather than pushing a pen back in the office.  {Insert BBC/Daily Mail Quote}

One idea is the extensive use of mobile technology to record key crime information at the scene and automate the backend system.  This should make the process of reporting much quicker and less burdensome for all concerned.

There are however many potential problems.  Firstly the systems have to be created, devices selected, rolled out and commissioned.  Secondly they have to be maintained.  Thirdly they have to be secured.  Mobile Device Management enables this whole process.

Let’s assume that arrests are recorded via a mobile phone device that communicates directly back to HQ and the local station. 

Many police officers, and managers {is that the correct term?} out of the 140 thousand plus employed, will have to be provided with a device fitting the nature of their duties. 

These devices will be from a number of sources and have a range of capabilities from touch screens, high resolution cameras, high speed data connections, Bluetooth, push email, WiFi, GPS  and much else in varying combinations. 

All these devices will be linked in some secure way, VPN/encryption/authentication, back to the police data centres. 

Each device will have several software applications tailored to that specific device and/or operating system that will need to be periodically updated, or added to; such as encryption, anti virus, crime recording, reporting, push email services etc.

Of course, each device will need to be backed upped and secured locally and remotely when lost , stolen, or retired.

To do all of this from one central area location is a absolute necessity, but without the presence of the device or the officer. 

It is illogical to expect a police officer to understand how to install and update software on a device, set up a VPN or to remember to back the device up.  It is impossible for the officer not to occasionally lose a device in the heat of an arrest or by accident.  This leaves the loss of information from the police service as a serious concern especially when it falls into a third parties hands.  From there it can be used against the police by organised criminal gangs, terrorists or blackmailers, and cause a considerable loss of confidence in the police force. 

MDM allows for all these issues to be handled as smoothly as possible without having to touch the device.  From cradle to grave, the devices are automatically configured, updated, monitored, secured and backed up.   This is inspite of the great variety of devices deployed.

In the event of theft, even if the SIM is swapped (such as with ebay sales), the device will report back to the police servers what number is being used, in some cases where the device is located, and provide an automated and secure method of eliminating all information from the device so protecting security and abiding by the information protection laws.

An additional interesting feature is the remote control of devices so that various hardware elements can be activated and controlled, such as Bluetooth discovery which if set on will allow criminal elements to locate and steal a mobile phone.  Another interesting idea is the remote control of a handset’s microphone, video camera and GPS to allow the police to monitor and record highly stressed situations without an officer having to switch them on.  This can then be used as part of the evidence gathering  when considering charging or prosecuting an individual or gang.

Sources: