Gardaí teching it to the next level
Smart cars, drones and long-range speed guns are just some of the hi-tech crime fighting gadgetry that An Garda Síochana is currently rolling out.
Other new technologies include mobile devices that can automatically create traffic offence tickets on the go, and a new app linked with Google Maps to help gardaí find the precise location of a callout.
The new tech, which is mainly focused on road safety offences, was presented at Monday’s Cork County Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting by the Head of Innovation and Digital Services at An Garda Síochana, Tim Willoughby. Mr Willoughby said since 2020, when some of the new technology was first being tested in the field, there has been a huge increase in road safety detections.
He defined road safety offences as uninsured and disqualified drivers using the roads, as well as speeding, the use of mobile devices while driving, seatbelt offences, and intoxicated driving.
Mr Willoughby pointed out that the traditional method for issuing a ticket for a driving offence could take up to 28 days. With the new system, it takes less than 5 hours on average.
He said this also prevents anyone from “ringing in to ask for a favour” in relation to having the ticket revoked.
Commenting on the long-range speed gun, which works with the portable device to create a ticket, Mr Willoughby said it can detect a speeding offence from over a kilometre away.
“We can spot a detection before you’ve spotted us. We’d almost have a cup of tea made and a little table set up by the time you get there,” he jested.
An Garda Síochána is also rolling out a fleet of new Tuscon smart cars with 140 already in operation and 25 more to come this year. The cutting edge cars carry “huge amounts of technology” and can automatically read number plates, bringing information on insurance, tax, and disqualification up onto a built-in screen for the garda operating to vehicle to view. A hybrid version of the new car is also now being trialled.
A device called a LapDock has also been brought into use which allows the user to connect their mobile device and use it similarly to a laptop with a larger screen and keyboard.
Mr Willoughby also spoke about the use of drones combined with Microsoft Teams to allow a large number of gardaí to view live ariel footage remotely at the same time. An Garda Síochána will continue to roll out portable devices throughout 2022 and into 2023 with a new search app pencilled in for this October.