CHICAGO —The Chicago Police Department has rolled out 10,000 Samsung Galaxy S series smartphones to officers as part of an initiative to enhance mobility and efficiency in law enforcement operations, according to a Samsung news release.
The deployment, which includes Samsung DeX technology, allows officers to use their smartphones as both mobile and desktop workstations, in an effort to reduce reliance on traditional laptops and enable quicker access to critical information in the field, according to the release.
The move is part of an ongoing partnership between Samsung and the City of Chicago that began with a pilot program in 2018. The latest expansion now includes both the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, according to the release.
Samsung DeX enables officers to dock their smartphones in patrol vehicles, providing a desktop-like interface. According to Deputy Director of IT Infrastructure Dennis Baliga, the department has transitioned from 3,000 in-car laptops to 10,000 mobile devices assigned to officers or vehicles.
The Samsung Knox Suite will provide encryption and secure access to law enforcement databases, according to the report. Officers will be able to retrieve information on suspects, check permits and file service requests from their phones. Sergeant Aaron Levine of the department’s Entertainment Venue Team highlighted the convenience of mobile access, allowing officers to retrieve hazmat guidelines and city regulations without carrying physical manuals.
City officials also credit Samsung Knox with reducing phone setup times by 75%, streamlining deployment and saving resources, according to the report.
“We trust the partnership we have with Samsung,” said Dan Sullivan an electrical mechanic with the City of Chicago’s Office of Public Safety Administration. “As officers run people’s names, run their license plates, and are also logging into their systems, we have to worry about security like data leaks and HIPAA information. We are confident in Knox security. It ensures that they can do their job safely and securely.”
