50 members of An Garda Síochána in Limerick will from December 2017 use Garda apps that will allow them to access their email on the move, check a vehicle’s history and tax status, and allow them to work more efficiently with local business and community groups.
The pilot is part of the Garda ACTIVE Mobility Strategy, which is a key element of An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021.
The 50 Gardaí, comprised mainly of Garda members and Sergeants, will use the apps under a pilot to run in Limerick city and county for six months. After the six months, the pilot will be evaluated to see what worked and what didn’t, and the potential for the apps and additional services to be expanded to more Garda personnel. All Garda members involved in the pilot will provide feedback at least once a month during the pilot.
Under the pilot, the 50 Gardaí will use what is termed as a Mobile Data Station - this is effectively a smartphone with a number of dedicated Garda apps.
With the Mobile Data Station, they will be able to do the following over the course of the pilot:
- Check their email and calender without returning to the station
- Vehicle Look-Up app - this means a vehicle’s history and tax status can be automatically viewed by entering its number into the app. This may expand to include look-ups on insurance status, NCT compliance, and driver details. It may also lead to fixed charge notices being issued at roadside via the mobile device.
- Have Community and on the Beat Look-ups for a range of local stakeholders
The Garda ACTIVE Mobility Strategy will deliver a range of mobility services to the organisation over the next three to five years.
ACTIVE is shorthand for the type of impact the programme hopes to make to policing:
- Accessible
- Community Based
- Transparent
- Innovative
- Visible
- Effective
The aim of ACTIVE is to give Garda members instant and secure access to a wide-range of Garda information and services regardless of their location. This should enhance their ability to act in a situation based on real-time information and increase the time they spend on patrol rather than in the station dealing with paperwork.