A Pen Picture of the Future

Aug 2005, By George Oliver, Copper Plate

A Revolutionary hi-tech digital pen, with a built in infra red camera, is poised to write a new page in the history of front-line policing in Durham.

Senior managers have ordered a feasibility study to be carried out early next year, which will examine the possibility of issuing the space age "smart pen" to hundreds of operational officers.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Stoddart told Copper Plate: "The executive first saw the pens demonstrated at a recent ACPO conference and we agreed they were sensational. Both its simplicity and timesaving potential astonished us. It is totally bobby-proof, will save time and will help keep officers out on the streets."

STANDARD

The robust instrument, about the same length and a little wider in depth than an expensive fountain pen, can be easily held. Officers using forms produced on special paper can hand-write statements, complete crime reports and stop search documents, or fill out a range of other standard forms in the normal way. It could also prove a valuable tool in major crimes, particularly house-to-house enquiries.

But the camera and electronic gadgetry within the pen first identify the form being filled out and then faithfully copies up to 70 of the authors hand movements every second. When returned to day docking stations in patrol cars or back at the office the data stored in the pen is downloaded into the force computer system.

"The pens are very easy to write with and the images are time-recorded in sequence. After they are put into a docking station the details are transmitted into the computer and can immediately be brought up on screen. Hand-written copies can be printed from the computer which also converts the binary images into typed text at the push of a button," said Mr Stoddart.

The Berkshire-based company marketing the pens powered by a longlife battery is already involved in limited pilot trials with a handful of officers in Sussex and detectives in Merseyside. The feasibility study in Durham will provide the force with an opportunity to evaluate its worth alongside the introduction of a new crime recording system.

MOVEMENT

Should the force ultimately agree to press ahead with the introduction of the instrument they would be distributed on personal issue, possibly to core officers in the first instance.

"One of the bonuses of the pen becomes obvious when it is acknowledged that while every police officer can write not all of them can type" said Mr Stoddart.

"It preserves the original handwriting and automatically times and dates every single movement of the pen. That would protect officers from any claims of inappropriate or late entries," he added.