In a central control room the colour pictures received via the phone system are combined with conventional live camera surveillance pictures to provide extensive intelligence. This enables superior officers to make better-informed decisions about remote situations, and when necessary to provide urgent assistance to officers on the street. Prompt back-up is particularly important for the Alcorc n force where most patrol cars are manned by single officers. The phone network is currently being upgraded to 14,000 baud but even on the original 9,600 baud bandwidth with a modest refresh rate of about one picture every 3 seconds for pictures with a high movement content, the images have proved very useful. The police officers using the system say the cameras have made their work easier, improved their working conditions and are now indispensable.
Portable cameras have great potential for assisting other emergency services too.
For instance, with a camera at the scene of an accident, ambulance crews could obtain specialist first aid guidance from a remote doctor, and pictures enabling immediate expert assessment of victims' injuries would allow better preparation at the hospital and earlier treatment, so could even save lives.