Image: SAPOL
In an excitingly innovative step towards contemporary police operations, South Australia Police (SAPOL) has announced its new Mobile Workforce Program after a successful pilot phase. This initiative places SAPOL at the forefront of digital policing, while improving their operational efficiency, officer safety, and community engagement across the state.
The program has seen each SAPOL staff member equipped with a state-of-the-art Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphone. This phone is loaded with over 60 apps and web links and is designed to provide critical information and facilitate communication and collaboration anytime, anywhere. The smartphone is set to become an essential tool in the daily operations of SAPOL personnel.
Program Business Engagement Lead, Chief Inspector Julian Coram shared, “Having the Mobility Phone on hand completely changes how we work. I can access real-time intelligence anytime, anywhere, stay informed and stay connected with my team. It makes our job safer and enables us to work more efficiently. These capabilities mean saving time when it matters the most, it means making faster, better-informed decisions, improved safety and enhanced situational awareness.”
Program Director, Vaiju Joshi added, “This program will deliver a digital transformation that will usher in next-generation policing in South Australia. Our officers will be connected, informed and ready with the latest technology toolkit at their fingertips.”
The introduction of these advanced mobile devices is a reflection of SAPOL’s commitment to using technology to improve the delivery of its services. The smartphones ensure officers can perform a wide range of functions directly from the field, reducing paperwork and allowing for quicker, more informed decision-making. Features such as officer-level location tracking and access to in-field intelligence will importantly improve officer safety and proactive policing.
Executive Director of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T), Richard Hill, shared, “The Mobile Workforce Program puts powerful, secure tools directly in officers’ hands, streamlining their work, reducing administrative burden, enhancing safety, and enabling faster decisions in the field. It’s a practical capability that makes daily policing more connected, efficient, and responsive, which ultimately allows officers to focus more on community engagement and safety.”
The rollout of these devices has already kicked off with various specialist groups, including Aircraft Services, Water Operations, Mounted Operations, Police Negotiators, Public Transport Policing Teams, and the Licensing Enforcement Branch already benefiting from the technology. The distribution of the phones to Metropolitan and State Operations Services began in early September.
This program is a huge milestone in SAPOL’s continuous effort to integrate technology into its policing strategy, and it hopes to create a safer and more engaged community across South Australia.
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