The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is in the process of upgrading its 2600 vehicles with cameras, automatic number plate recognition and an in-vehicle computing platform.
Department documents noted QPS is interested in providing those police officers operating in a mobile environment, with a capability to capture and record both digital images and voice data to aide in the collection of evidence to support activities and prosecutions.
The department is seeking a single in-vehicle computing platform which can integrate both cameras and automatic number plate recognition, and is capable of future systems integration.
Vendors should also offer application and systems development, including in-vehicle and back office software, coupled with hardware requirements such as data storage.
“The capability to provide a vehicle integration service to commission, de-commission and re-commission integrated technology systems in compliance with specifications within QPS operational vehicles is needed,” company documents read.
The documents also state that respondents must provide specifications and information relating to camera systems, including the type of in-car cameras recommended, such as forward facing, in-cab and rearwards facing.
The scope for the project covers several aspects such as in-cab and remote microphones and the capability to record multiple audio tracks simultaneously.
“QPS need the capability to freeze frame, zoom, re-wind and play on the user interface through a touch screen linked to in vehicle computing whilst the camera system is recording," the documents read.
For automatic number plate recognition, the QPS need audible and visual alerts for vehicles of interest such as those that are stolen, unregistered or uninsured.
The single computing platform will need to provide communications capabilities, integration and connection of peripheral devices into the platform.
In related news, the Victoria Police Transit Branch has delivered 200 high-tech replacement divisional vans with IP cameras to frontline officers across the state.
“These additional and replacement cars are not only putting more police vehicles on the streets, they will also increase the safety and capabilities of police officers using them," Minister for Police and Emergency Services, James Merlino, said in a statement.
"Victoria Police members provided significant input into the vehicle design to ensure the new divisional vehicles met the operational needs of today’s officers."
Some of the features of the new vehicle include, increased storage space for operational equipment, video monitoring and recording of detainees, two-way communication between front cabin and the rear cabin and dampeners on cabin doors to prevent prisoners kicking doors open and injuring police.