Published: November 03, 2008
BIO-key(R) Awarded PocketCop(R) Contracts From Major Law Enforcement Agencies
WALL, N.J., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BIO-key International, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: BKYI), a leader in finger-based biometric identification
and wireless public safety, announced today that it was recently awarded
contracts from three law enforcement customers for its PocketCop mobile data
solution for BlackBerry(R) smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM)
(Nasdaq: RIMM). The awarded contracts came from theSt. Paul, MN Police
Department, theBaltimore, MD Police Department and theHawaii County Police
Department. The awards collectively amount to over $110,000 and underscore
the different ways in which BIO-key's customers are taking advantage of
PocketCop's flexibility and scalability to meet their unique operational needs
and serve their patrol officers, investigators and command staff.
AsSt. Paul, MN prepared for the city's role as host of the 2008
Republican National Convention (RNC), theSt. Paul Police Department targeted
PocketCop as a key component in its plan for protecting the safety of
delegates and visitors, as well as its own officers. TheSt. Paul Police
Department's first priority for PocketCop deployment was line officers such as
the foot patrol unit assigned to the downtown area, who don't have access to
MobileCop(R), BIO-key's mobile data solution for in-vehicle laptops.
Utilizing PocketCop enabled line officers to receive dispatch calls without
tying up dispatchers or radios. PocketCop provided officers with direct
access to federal and state databases for information on individuals involved
in incidents including: obtaining driver's license photo to verify identity;
and immediate access to any outstanding arrest warrants.
PocketCop's silent, text-based messaging functionality provided
significant benefit toSt. Paul's police officers monitoring street traffic
during the RNC. The noise generated by the large crowds and loudspeakers at
RNC events and demonstrations made it next to impossible to hear or
communicate clearly via radio. PocketCop enabled foot patrol officers to
maintain a visible presence on the street and still communicate with each
other and with MobileCop users and dispatchers, keeping everyone better
informed and aware of what was going on.
Since the RNC, theSt. Paul Police Department has found that the cell
phone capability of BlackBerry smartphones has helped support the Department's
community policing initiative. Store managers in the downtown area can now
call an officer directly to intervene in a situation before it becomes an
incident or to provide new information on a previously-reported incident. This
eliminates the need for the officer to carry a separate cell phone or pager,
or for the dispatcher to relay information over the radio.
TheHawaii Police Department's decision to deploy PocketCop was based on a
need to keep watch commanders in constant contact with their field units,
given the 4,000 square miles that the island ofHawaii encompasses.Hawaii
Police Department Major Sam Thomas said that PocketCop was the ideal solution.
"In addition to having law enforcement data at their fingertips just as their
officers do with MobileCop, with the messaging interoperability between the
two platforms our lieutenants and captains can now use PocketCop to send
announcements to all their mobile units or communicate in real time with
individual officers, wherever they are."
TheBaltimore Police Department determined that PocketCop was an essential
item for Violent Crime Impact Division investigators who may be on foot or in
unmarked cars. "Everybody wants one," commented Frank Zapushek, theBaltimore
Police Department's mobile data system administrator. At a known gang
activity or drug location, for example, undercover officers and investigators
can run a license plate to identify the driver and make sure the vehicle
hasn't been reported as stolen. "Because BlackBerry smartphones are everywhere
now, an undercover officer using one while on surveillance doesn't draw
attention," Zapushek observed.
"These enterprise-level deployments are further evidence that PocketCop
has taken hold across the country and become the standard for mobile data on
BlackBerry smartphones," stated Michael DePasquale, BIO-key's Chief Executive
Officer. BIO-key is a member of the BlackBerry(R) ISV Alliance program.
About BIO-key
BIO-key International, Inc., headquartered inWall, New Jersey, develops
and delivers advanced identification solutions and information services to law
enforcement departments, public safety agencies, government and private sector
customers. BIO-key's mobile wireless technology provides first responders with
critical, reliable, real-time data and images from local, state and national
databases. BIO-key's high performance, scalable, cost-effective and
easy-to-deploy biometric finger identification technology accurately
identifies and authenticates users of wireless and enterprise data to improve
security, convenience and privacy and to reduce identity theft. Over 750
police departments inNorth America use BIO-key solutions, making BIO-key the
leading supplier of mobile and wireless solutions for law enforcement.
(http://www.bio-key.com)
Company Contact: BIO-key International, Inc.
Bud Yanak
732-359-1100
SOURCE BIO-key International, Inc.
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