New smartphones allow SA Police to issue on-the-spot fines and more

South Australian police officers are now equipped with new smartphones capable of issuing fines on the spot, marking a significant phase in an $80 million digital transformation program. 

The Samsung Galaxy S25 provides officers with access to critical information and a suite of more than 70 applications designed to enhance efficiency and safety.

The rollout of the smartphones is the first stage of a broader digital overhaul within South Australia Police.

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These devices, while resembling standard smartphones, offer access to a wide range of police systems. 

"You have access to all of the information on our police systems in the palm of your hand," Chief Inspector Julian Coram said.

The smartphones are intended to facilitate quicker decision-making, particularly in high-risk situations. 

"It gives us real-time information on warrants, wanted people, bail, missing persons so it enables real time decision making," Coram said.

Given the sensitive nature of the data held on the devices, they will be centrally managed, with measures in place to protect information security.

"If a phone is lost or damaged we can actually wipe that phone remotely," Coram said.

The introduction of the smartphones is expected to streamline police operations. 

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"It really is a time saver because you can do your work from any place at any time," Coram said.

"It's fantastic, when I first started in policing, it was 20 years ago and we were on paper books, triplicate carbon paper. 

"Twenty years isn't all that long, but from where that was to where we are now is just amazing."

The $80 million program is being implemented over an eight-year period. Trials are under way to identify suitable replacement systems for in-car technology. 

Program director Vaiju Joshi  said the vision for the program was for officers' phones to essentially become a "mobile office" or "computer on the go".

"So you plug it in and that's the one that fires up your screen," he said.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.