Norfolk Police use tracking to improve 999 response times

Norfolk Constabulary have recently introduced a vehicle tracking system (AVLS: Automatic Vehicle Location System) to their force as well as implementing a system to track individual officers that are on foot (APLS: Automatic Person Location System).

This system is very advanced and demonstrates the versatility and major benefits a tracking system has to offer. Not only will the tracking system map the locations and movements of the Constabulary’s officers and vehicles but will also provide an essential aid to identify the nearest officer most suitably trained to deal with a reported incident. Examples of this would be a women officer that has been trained to deal with incidents involving sexual assault or an armed response unit etc.

Other factors such as speed limits, geographic obstacles and the nature of roads will be considered by the tracking system when identifying the nearest officer to respond to an incident. This information, combined with the Constabulary’s own knowledge of local weather and events (for example football matches or road closures) will help improve their ability to respond to an incident as quickly as possible.

As soon as the nearest vehicle has been established the tracking system will send the quickest route to the incident to a Garmin GPS navigation device that is onboard the vehicle ensuring that the officer arrives at the incident as soon as possible.

Norfolk Police Force is already tracking 150 of their vehicles including: patrol vehicles, armed response units, dog handlers and unmarked vehicles.

Officers on foot will be tracked using tags built into their radios which is due to be activated later in the year. This system will also improve the safety of frontline officers when dealing with high risk call outs.

For more information on the AVLS vehicle tracking system that is currently in use and to see a demonstration video of this in action please visit:

www.norfolk.police.uk/article.cfm