The Blackberry: A Surprisingly Powerful Crime-fighting Tool

摘要

The Research in Motion (RIM) BlackBerry has become a common sight on the street, but it isn't just being toted by businesspeople. Around the world, law enforcement officers have discovered that this wireless, Web-connected PDA can a powerful crime-fighting tool. Just the BlackBerry's e-mail, voice telephone, and wireless Web access make it a potent communications tool for police. This is why RIM and AT&T are providing BlackBerry "smartphones" to some 200 LAPD senior lead officers (SLOs). "Now our SLOs will have easy, wireless access to e-mail from members of the community,rnallowing them to find solutions an4 respond more quickly and efficiently," LAPD ChiefrnBratton said when the arrangement was announced. However, load the BlackBerry with specialized law enforcement programs such as BIO-key PocketCop or Info-Cop, and the BlackBerry is transformed into a highly capable handheld data terminal. BIO-key PocketCop lets the BlackBerry user query the NCIC database as well as other state and motor vehicle databases. Info-Copdoes this plus lets the officer download photos and look up license plates using voice commands.