Law Enforcement Query Application

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Miami-Dade Police Department’s (MDPD) Information Technology Services Bureau automated the law enforcement query process by the developing Law Enforcement Query, an application that provides easy access to the frequently used law enforcement data systems, resulting in efficiencies in the investigative process. Prior to Law Enforcement Query, a police officer had to query state, national, and local systems independently to compile subject, vehicle, or property data – each having its own commands, interface, and credentials – resulting in numerous man-hours away from policing. The Law Enforcement Query provides an interface to these disparate systems in one application, eliminating the need for multiple applications or related computer training. The automation of these queries means that from a single query an officer can receive responses from all the connected systems, thereby increasing efficiency. Law Enforcement Query detects alerts from responses and immediately reads any warnings to the officer using text-to-speech technology, thus promoting officer safety. Vehicle license plates can be searched hands-free with verbal commands using speech-to-text. For the first time in Miami-Dade County (MDC), identifying photographs from state and national systems can be viewed. Large touch controls and text make the user experience optimally suited for vehicular use. Its expandability ensures that new systems can be integrated when necessary, indicating that this program is a success.