Apple’s CarPlay now helps cops in Western Australia

CarPlay joins Australian police force

Police in Western Australia have become the first in the world to begin using Apple’s CarPlay system to support their work – and it’s not just about listening to Ride of the Valkyries while racing to the next call.

‘Hey Siri, where’s Erinsborough?’

Law enforcement agents use Apple Maps to help get to incidents, staging their arrival and planning the route there. The integration also sees key operational information made available on the CarPLay screen.

They make use of Siri to set mapping coordinates hands-free, which they say makes a huge difference than before, when they’ve had to handle sometimes complex touch-based systems for such work. Cops can also use the system to issue digital infringement notices, rather than issuing handwritten ones. The force issues 180,000 of these each year.

The police force is working in partnership with Apple and Motorola on the project. Integration is an extension of the force’s existing OneForce Core application, which makes use of Motorola Solutions PSCore application.

WA Police Deputy Commissioner, Col Blanch, said the smart mobile technology helps the police force to work with improved safety and focus when responding to emergency calls.

[Also read: Microsoft Teams meetings now available in Apple’s CarPlay]

“When police officers respond to an incident they need accurate and relevant information to inform their decisions and keep themselves and community members safe. Since deploying  OneForce Core, our officers have been better informed with access to critical operational information wherever they are,” Blanch said.

WA Police Uses Apple CarPlay in World First. https://t.co/nOzfvpFwXE

— WA Police Force (@WA_Police) March 30, 2022

CopPlay?

“Now we’re taking the next step by extending the rich capabilities of OneForce Core into our police vehicles through the integration with CarPlay including voice controls,“ he said.

Mahesh Saptharishi, Motorola Solutions’ executive VP and CTO explained that:

“By leveraging new interactions with familiar technology interfaces such as CarPlay, we remove complexity from the high-stress situations responders face and help them maintain focus on their mission.”

This isn’t the only mobile solution this force is involved in. Earlier this month it introduced a Fit for the Forceapp designed to get new recruits fit for prospective training. The free app combines advice for diet and exercise.

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