He said that the police force have subscribed to a new technology recently called a GPRS system. (GPRS) A GSM data transmission technique that does not set up a continuous channel from a portable terminal for the transmission and reception of data, but transmits and receives data in packets. It makes very efficient use of available radio spectrum, and users pay only for the volume of data sent and received. This helps the police force to be able to trace all of there panda cars and undercover cars are to know what they are doing, exceeding the speed limits and location etc. This would make the whole polices’ force a whole lot easier knowing where their colleagues were so then if the get lost in search of a call/enquiry the have to go to, they can find that cars location, or if they are in chase of a vehicle or in search of one then they can use this system to find that car. He cannot use this personally or socially because the system is located in the police station, but he can call in to be able to trace a car.
This new technology was called a 3g radio/phone, but he can use it as a two-way personal radio. So he can phone in for emergencies or for other reasons and if that didn’t work he could use the radio to seek assistance. It can also be used for storing data, baking it up so if something went wrong on his laptop he would have a back-up copy on this 3g phone. He hasn’t got one of these himself but he said that he will probably get one soon and has stated that he cannot use this personally or socially for himself, just for working.
He uses a laptop for home use but when he is at work he uses a desktop PC, this is based in his office and is used for work purposes only. This helps him to save and update certain documents and files that are related with his police work and he has all of the custody files situated on his computer. This certain PC is connected to the Internet so that he can search things off all sorts of work related web sites. This also allows him to interact with other colleagues over e-mail so they can talk about work and things what need to be done. This PC also has a missing’s persons database, so he can find out all the people that have gone missing on any day and all of their details.
The government has also introduced a new technological piece of ICT equipment called a “touch ring”. This gives him access to all phone numbers in that area. It also means that he doesn’t have to dial each number again and again, he can just store them on the touch ring. It has a touch screen, which makes this touch ring faster than the current mobile phones. The advantage of him having this as a policeman is that it gives him access to all numbers in the area and saves him the time typing the number out over and over again and with the touch screen he doesn’t have to press and buttons, this allows him to call the number he wants and to find the number much quicker so in need of a very urgent call he can do this very quickly.
Finally with his ICT at work he has CCTV, which makes the police officer’s life a lot easier. The reason for this is that if a robbery was in progress you can look on the TV screen that’s connected to the camera to try and identify who the culprit is. This is a stress relieving piece of ICT because instead of running after him and wasting energy he can take a look at the video tape at that time and put face to name to find the criminal and can hopefully prosecute the culprit.
Now we have established that he uses a lot of technology within his work, but now we will find out what ICT he uses within his home and social/personal environment. He has sky digital on his 100Hz television. The reason for this is that it is easier on the human eye especially for him and his wife, both happens to wear glasses. This is also a stress relieving process, watching the TV, slouching on the coach and unwinding from a tough day at work. This also takes his mind off his work and gives his mind a break. He said that sky digital was a necessity because there is a wider range of channels that he can choose; therefore there is always something that he can sit down and watch with or without his wife.
He also has a desktop PC for use at home and by the rest of his family. He can use this to download games and programs and can surf the Internet, purely for enjoyment. He also has broadband because it is quicker than all of the other standard Internet options. He also uses this to email his friends and family this is better that he can keep in contact with them because some of his family and friends live a long way away from him so this enables him to keep in touch with them. He also uses this so his daughter can have access to all of the things she needs to complete he homework tasks.
He also has a play station 2. Again like the TV this helps him to relax and play his brother at certain games. This provides fun and enjoyment for him and the rest of his family. He also has a wide variety of games to play so that he has a selection of games instead of having just a few and getting bored. This can relieve stress from a hard day at work and can forget about all of the troubles that he has.
In conclusion to this essay I think that officer Paul Stevens uses a lot of ICT whilst working or using them socially/personally. I think that this list of ICT that he uses in and out of work is very useful and would struggle if he didn’t have any of it. All of these technologies were built to relieve stress so that if he looses some paper work he can have it stored on his computer. Plus I think that if they didn’t have any of this technology the crime rates would go up because for criminals would get away with it because the police force wouldn’t be able to work as a force, more as individuals which is very hard to capture them. Also if he didn’t have any of the home entertainment technology his job would suffer because he would have nothing to take his mind off of his job or to relieve him of stress.
