As the second-largest municipal law enforcement agency in Oklahoma, with around 750 sworn officers, the Tulsa Police Department protects nearly 400,000 citizens. Daily challenges associated with patrolling such a large population made the department realize that its in-car laptops were not maximizing the officers’ efficiency while on duty.
Tulsa PD had three main challenges that had to be tackled simultaneously in order to solve its problem as quickly as possible. At the forefront, the department wanted to equip its officers with ultra-portable computers, as their current devices were bulky and permanently mounted in the vehicles. The IT department was also jumpstarting an e-ticketing project and wanted to find a device that would easily integrate with the new software. Finally, Tulsa PD needed to upgrade its slow wireless network to maximize productivity and provide consistent Internet access for officers across the city.
Making the Move to Next-Generation Rugged Handhelds
Panasonic Solutions Company worked closely with Tulsa PD’s IT department to create the best solution for its needs, testing different products with the patrol officers to find the right fit. The department made the decision to use two complementary products—the Panasonic Toughbook U1 and the Permanent Display Removable Computer (PDRC)—as both an in- and out-of-vehicle computing solution. The Toughbook U1 is an extremely rugged handheld computer with a 5.6" sunlight-viewable touchscreen and full keyboard. The U1 seamlessly connects to the PDRC, which combines a vehicle-mounted display and full-functioning keyboard for heightened capabilities inside police vehicles.
The Toughbook U1s are able to run a full Windows operating system, allowing officers to use Brazos eCitation software. This software allows an officer to barcode-scan a driver’s license on the scene and Bluetooth the information to a printer. The software reduces the amount of time and effort spent on traffic stops while capturing information quickly and accurately, hence creating an efficient and streamlined solution.
Wireless connectivity was also a key factor in selecting the Toughbook U1s. The agency selected Gobi-enabled Toughbook U1 devices accessing the Sprint 3G network. The embedded wireless provides a stronger signal and allows officers to access criminal records and file reports, as well as utilize the eCitation software outside of their vehicles. Such strong connectivity has provided better communication between patrol officers and the station.
Immediate Results
Investing in the Toughbook U1s and PDRCs solved three immediate needs for the Tulsa PD by replacing immobile computers, supporting robust Brazos eCitation software and easily accessing their upgraded wireless network.
Corporal Will Dalsing of the Tulsa PD has seen these results firsthand: “The Toughbook U1 combined with the PDRC is a highly effective solution for officers to conduct operations and communicate efficiently from anywhere in the Tulsa area. The process of solving our three seemingly disparate needs has been much easier than expected.”
Tulsa officers have also seen how important the rugged components of their ultra-mobile computers are for their rigorous duties. With a MIL-STD-810G certification for extreme temperatures, IP65-rated protection from dust and moisture, and a six-foot drop rating, the Toughbook U1s keep working in any conditions. The Tulsa PD officers have been trained to immediately drop the Toughbook U1s if an altercation arises, having complete confidence that the device and its data will not be harmed.
Using the PDRC devices, officers have expressed an overall better experience in their vehicles with a full-sized keyboard and touchscreen. According to Corporal Dalsing, “The first thing we noticed about the PDRC devices was the screen brightness, especially for daytime use. The ease of use has also allowed us to put our focus on sharing and accessing information to protect the citizens of Tulsa.”
For More Information
Panasonic Solutions Company was able to successfully develop a custom computing solution to meet Tulsa’s unique requirements, and make it easier to access robust e-ticketing software and mobile broadband. To learn more about Tulsa’s solutions, please visit:
• www.toughbook.com
• www.sprint.com
• www.brazostech.com
Learn More:
1.888.357.1107 or
panasonic.com/toughbook/lawenforcement