NCJ Number
194849
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 52-54,56
Date Published
April 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This is a resource guide to handheld technology for law enforcement.
Abstract
Personal digital assistants (PDAs), or “handheld” computers, are rapidly changing the way law enforcement agencies and officers obtain and record information. As more law enforcement agencies begin to use PDAs, vendors have designed software packages that include a number of custom police-related functions. In addition, other software designers make standalone applications that perform specific functions. Most companies design their software to work with common PDAs. These include Palm, Handspring Visor, Research in Motion, BlackBerry, and Compaq iPAQ. PDA printers are available from Monarch Marking Systems, Pentax Technologies, and SiPix Inc. Another emerging PDA technology is the magnetic stripe card reader, through which an officer can “swipe” a driver’s license to get a display of license information. Companies that manufacture these devices include Semtek, which makes the PDA Swipe, and Monarch, whose HandiPrint 6017 has a combination card reader/printer. A number of vendors, including Kodak and Handspring, have begun to produce their own made-for-PDA digital cameras. The article contains technical data and purchasing information on a number of other instruments and standalone software especially designed or modified for law enforcement officers and agencies. Some law enforcement officers have developed Internet-based companies through which they distribute their software.