Major Police Computer Upgrade

The Government has entered a multi million dollar contract with IBM for the provision of new and upgraded information technology to the Victoria Police.

The project will better equip every police officer in the state (city and country) through:

• desktop services at over 278 police sites and 103 One man police stations,
• a new operating system and Email,
• statewide IT desktop upgrade and roll-out project for 5300 PCs and 500 notebooks; and
• specialised training for 8000 staff

"The upgrade will see on duty officers equipped with lap-top computers, to alleviate the need for time consuming paper work. This will free-up the force to do what it does best - protect our streets," the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mr McGrath, said.

"Strict security and screening procedures have been incorporated into the contract so the community can be assured that all confidential information is protected and the force will remain firmly in control of its information."

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, 23 February 1999)