DOLA and Police Service share national award for use of technology [Audio]

25/3/99
Western Australia's Department of Land Administration (DOLA) and the Police Service have shared a national award for the use of technology.
The silver award was presented in Canberra this week at the 12th Government Technology Productivity Awards and recognises DOLA's production of high quality, high definition aerial photographs and the Police Service's Crime Stoppers program.
Lands Minister Doug Shave and Police Minister Kevin Prince said the award shows that Western Australia is a leader in developing applications for technology.
DOLA had been producing low definition aerial images for some time but the police had identified a need for more detailed photographs.
"DOLA began production of the high resolution aerial photographs of the Perth metropolitan area at the request of the Police Service," said Mr Shave.
"The police identified a need for images which would enable them to gather much more detail about specific locations and this is what DOLA has been able to provide.
"Individual houses and properties as well as street fixtures such as bus stops, telephone boxes and power poles can be easily identified on the photographs. This has safety and security implications for the whole community and is an example of Government agencies working together for a Safer WA."
Mr Prince said the high definition photographs enabled police to gather information on crime scenes and other emergencies and plan accordingly.
"It provides another tool to fight crime. Strategic planning in operational situations is made easier by being able to study areas in fine detail," he said.
The high resolution images contain almost 10 times the detail of standard aerial photographs. The information is stored on 54 CDS. Each CD covers approximately 12 pages in the StreetSmart Perth Street Directory (an area of 12km by 20 km).
Media contacts: John Clune (Minister's Office) 9213 6500
Bob Charteris (DOLA) 9273 7561


New set of photos covering the Perth metropolitan area giving the police a strong operational weapon when its trying to identify locations and areas of concern.