A Force with new technology

After decades of use it is to be replaced by an electronic version that forms part of an application called tuServ. It will be downloaded on to police laptops now and smartphones later.

The electronic notebook will allow officers to capture everything from text and signatures to images, video and audio. It will also allow real-time sharing of captured information across the force, saving time and money.

One feature of tuServ, called ‘Around Me’, means that officers can see at a glance incidents that are going on around them within a chosen radius of one to 30 miles, including those in neighbouring forces (Cambs and Herts).

It can help officers plan their day around appointments, update them as they go along, see police information attached to locations and access virtually all the information on the force Command and Control system.

The application also helps assist quick decision making – such as whether a supervisor should attend a scene – and means many jobs can be done in the field rather than returning to station.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins, said: “I have been keen for Beds Police to embrace new technology because as force budgets shrink we need to explore every avenue to become more efficient. tuServ means officers will spend more time where the public want them most – in the community protecting people and fighting crime.”