10Meters News Report / May 16, 2003 -- Info-Cop is giving cops in New Jersey an electronic edge when it comes to public safety.

Info-Cop Interface on Pocket PC/from Info-Cop

To date, more than 100 police and emergency agencies in the Garden State have signed on with the Newark-based company, which provides software that allows law enforcement real-time access to local, state and federal crime databases using PDAs or other handhelds.

The system can simultaneously tap into eight massive databases and receive that data and photos in two to four seconds, the company said. Normally, it takes a beat officer five to 10 minutes to check the databases individually with a dispatcher.

"Years ago, an officer relied on traditional weapons for protection. Today information is just as valuable as any other weapon," said Rich Picolli, founder and CEO of Info-Cop.

"Before this technology, many criminals slipped through the information cracks because of inadequate manpower and lack of funding. Since Info-Cop operates on less expensive PDAs and cell phones, it is priced to be affordable for any public safety agency, regardless of size."

Other applications provided by the Windows-based Info-Cop software:

-- Bar code scanning of registrations and driving licenses.

-- Vehicle and warrant information.

-- Quick-plate feature that allows an officer to look up six license plates at one time.

-- Alerting officers of any warnings, summons and flags issued to a person or vehicle in the past 12 months.

-- Real-time department and private chat area.

"With every advance in mobile wireless technology, Info-Cop is there to enhance the capability of my police department," said James Debbie, Jr., police chief for Mountainside, N.J., and president of the Union County, N.J., Police Chiefs Association.

"The Mountainside Police Department purchased Info-Cop computer tablets for mobile operation in patrol cars. This application is expected to increase summons and arrests up to 30 percent because officers can more quickly communicate and collaborate with each other and with the FBI using this state-of-the art mobile technology."

Info-Cop was founded in 2001 and has plans to expand beyond the New Jersey area. For more information, www.info-cop.com.