Motorola Solutions Australia has been chosen to deliver more than 10,000 iPhones and iPad minis to the Victoria Police force, alongside mobile network services, applications and support services, as part of a $50 million, multi-year deal.
Following a competitive tender process, the contract falls under the Mobile Technology Project, which is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $227 million investment in police technology.
The devices deal represents one of the biggest technological changes to frontline policing since radio systems in patrol cars, and will begin rolling out from the middle of the year.
Specifically, the rollout extends to the 3,135 new police to be recruited, on top of normal recruitment levels, and will be deployed over the next five years.
Those who will have access to the devices include general duties members, Protective Services Officers (PSOs), transit safety division, family violence units and highway patrol units.
Police will issue the first devices in the middle of the year, with 8,500 deployed by the end of 2019 based on operational need - and more than 10,000 within five years.
“These new devices will mean officers spend more time in the community, and less time stuck behind a desk,” Minister for Police, Lisa Neville, said.
“We’re helping Victoria Police build a smarter, more modern force. We’re investing in technology, recruiting more officers and making sure our police can spend more time doing what they do best – protecting Victorians.”
Neville said the devices will be used to capture evidence, carry out identity checks and report crime and other events such as traffic incidents.
In addition, Neville said the technology will enable officers to have a greater presence in the community, by spending more time "proactively policing in the field" and less time being "station-bound, filling out paperwork".
The project sees Motorola Solutions partner with Optus and CompNow as part of the $50 million deal with Victoria Police for its new managed service mobility solution.
The contract will run for a minimum of five years with the potential to extend to 11 years, Motorola Solutions leading a consortium of service providers to deliver the contract including Optus, which will provide the carrier network solution, and CompNow, which will supply the Apple mobile devices, logistics and device repair services.
“Optus is pleased to collaborate with Victoria Police and Motorola Solutions to support digital connectivity and improved productivity of Victorian police while on-the-go," said Optus Business managing director, John Paitaridis.
Updated at 12:00PM on 13 April to provide more detail of Optus' and CompNow's involvement in the project.
