Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series of devices is starting to catch on with law enforcement agencies. The pilot program, which began two years ago in the Kimberling City and Indian Point Police Departments in Missouri, US, was designed to test how these foldable mobile devices could improve the day-to-day operations of law enforcement agencies. According to Samsung, the program was the first time a foldable device was used as a body camera by police officers. Since the pilot ended, two more police departments have started using Flip devices as body cameras. In addition, the solutions from these pilots are being expanded to 25 metro police departments in five states.
Customized solutions for police departments with Galaxy Z Flip
The Flip devices used for police testing were customized in collaboration with Visual Labs, a company that repurposes mobile devices as body and dash cams. According to Samsung, changes such as remapping the volume button to launch the camera were made to make it easier and faster to start recording in the field.
This use case stands out as a surprising innovation that Samsung is highlighting for its U.S. audience. In covering the blog post, The Verge also cited the results of an investigation by ProPublica and The New York Times , which found that local policies could delay the positive value of body cameras or prevent the footage from being released.
Samsung isn’t the only tech company in this space, though. Ring, the smart doorbell company owned by Amazon, has set and then withdrawn policies about how and what footage it shares with law enforcement. And the broader story of how technology like facial recognition and drones are being used by law enforcement is still unfolding.
This innovative use of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 aims to increase the operational efficiency of police departments. Especially in cases of sudden events, the ability to record quickly can play an important role in increasing security and transparency. This technology can be considered an important step in ensuring the safety of both police officers and the public. Samsung’s innovative approach in this area can also be a harbinger of a new era in the technology and security sector.