NZ and NY Police target technologies of interest
"We know that policing is done on the street," says New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush, who welcomed the NYPD group led by Chief of Intelligence Thomas Galati.
"Freeing officers to get out from behind their desks is vital," says Bush. "From New York to New Plymouth, there are situations and experiences that are universal to all police officers. That's why we are not just investing in technology, we are investing in ideas. Sharing these is the best way of staying ahead of the curve."
The US delegation visited the Police Mobile Innovation Lab and Experience Centre which was opened late last year in Wellington.
Galati says the innovation centre, which was developed by Vodafone with the NZ Police, shows how public and private organisation work in creating "a smarter way to police".
Galati says one of their major programs that made a difference in operations was the Domain Awareness System (DAS) which it developed with Microsoft.
"The system connects to more than 3000 video cameras around New York City and allows us access to multiple data sources in a matter of moments," he states. "We can see video, grab audio when shots are fired, and monitor for biological and radioactive hazards. It has really helped us get on top of incidents immediately."
'Moving in the same direction'
NZ Police Commissioner Bush sums up the importance of the meeting:
"We're all moving in the same direction. This means pooling our resources. The rate of change is huge, and the best way to keep up with it is to collaborate."
"We live in a fast changing interconnected world, where access to information is vital. We need to be able to keep on top of the latest developments to ensure we continue to meet global security challenges."
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"There is a growing need to share more than just general information. We need to communicate fresh ideas and new ways of working, particularly in the technology space. From Agile development to strategic partnering, there are a number of ways we can be smarter and quicker."