POLICE officers are to be given iPads so they can spend more time on the beat.
Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove says officers will be spending less time in stations completing paperwork.
Mr Grove said the plans will save time and money, despite the initial costs of buying the £350 gadgets and installing police software on to them.
"At the minute, we have officers holed up in police stations for hours at a time filling in forms," he said.
"They didn't join the service to be doing paperwork and admin, they joined to deter crime and catch criminals.
"The technology, which allows them to do this exists, so we should use it. It will mean more officers will be out on our streets.
"They will be able to do everything they can do in the station on an iPad, laptop or mobile phone, rather than having to go backwards and forwards to a fixed machine at the police station.
"Until now, the only way they could access police systems was in the station. It will save hours and hours and hours."
A trial scheme is already under way, with officers in Cottingham and Brough being given access to an iPad, laptop and mobile wireless Internet. The full cost of the scheme has not been estimated.
Two police cars in the area have been fitted with wireless Internet, allowing officers to work from their vehicles instead of travelling back to the station.
The software installed on the gadgets will allow officers to update crime logs, view ongoing incidents and take statements while on the move.
"They will probably be getting iPad Minis, which are around £350," said Mr Grove.
"But if it saves them an hour every day, the cost will be recovered in a week. It will also improve the quality of service we can give to people, make things quicker and more efficient.
"Using this mobile technology means that, even at a time of fewer officers, we can do more to protect the public."
The scheme is being jointly planned with South Yorkshire Police, who share IT facilities with Humberside.
When the trial is complete, senior officers will decide what gadgets police will be given and who will receive them.
Mr Grove said: "We need to make sure we get it right first time, which is why we are doing a trial."
But not everyone is convinced by the scheme.
Andrew Allison, of the Taxpayers' Alliance said: "Although in principle this sounds like it could save taxpayers' money, I will believe it when I see it.
"It will be interesting to read exactly how much money Humberside Police thinks it will save, and what it is basing those figures on.
"Also, why iPads when there are many other cheaper tablet computers available on the market?
"I hope I am wrong but this could easily be an ill-thought-out gimmick, rather than a practical way of making the police more efficient."
