The New York Police Department has equipped its 36,000 officers with Windows Phones, in order to improve its fight against crime and to modernize the force. Instead of using iOS or Android, every officer will now have a Lumia 830 (released 2014) and a Lumia 640 XL (released 2015), running the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, while on duty.
Windows Phones Were Chosen For Security Features
Although it might be surprising that the largest police force in the U.S. didn't choose iOS or Android devices, the department stated that the right decision was taken. After much research, the NYPDhas concluded that despite Windows phones commanding only one percent of the smartphone market, it has better security features and remote management, according to Digital Trends.
In fact, the apps that the New York Police Department and Microsoft developed for the officers are so incredible that the benefits and good results are already visible, whether solving a crime effectively (the statistics now show a decrease of 12 percent compared to 2015) or improving the relations between cops and the community.
Incredible Apps For The NYPD
Several remarkable apps have also been created for the NYPD, including the capability to call 911 without waiting for dispatchers to relay a report, fill out paperwork faster than ever, and use a digital notepad for complaints follow-ups. Other apps also enable officers to search for any information about a suspect in a database, watch training videos to improve their capacity, and take quizzes straight from their phones, according to CNET.
Of course, there have also been some problems related to the Windows Phones, since many officers have felt worried thinking that they can be tracked with these devices. Also, it has been known that wearing the phone on the police uniform has been so difficult that some of the devices have ended up seriously damaged, lost, or broken.
The New York Police Department announced its plans to upgrade to a Windows 10 phone fully by next Summer. The next device must have new apps like a two-way digital dispatch, or a connection to the city´s array of security cameras.
