The Technical Bureau of An Garda Síochána typically produces around 700 maps annually, many of which are still requested on paper. These maps fulfil a range of purposes from illustrating crime scenes and outlining security plans for large events to documenting boundary changes from Divisional realignments as a result of the Operating Model now in existence. The Technical Bureau was keen to reduce the reliance on paper maps by advancing its use of digital mapping. It realised that by increasing its use of web-based mapping applications, in particular, it had the potential to increase its efficiency, as well as deliver significant advantages for operational policing and strategic planning.

The Technical Bureau was already generating digital maps and mapping apps using Esri’s cloud-based geographic information system (GIS), ArcGIS Online. To build on this success, it decided to invest in Esri’s latest desktop software, ArcGIS Pro, and also deploy Esri’s ArcGIS Enterprise platform to store sensitive data securely on premise. It recognised, however, that its key staff members would need training in digital mapping, if it wanted to optimise the use of this additional GIS technology.

The Technical Bureau contacted Esri UK & Ireland’s Learning Services team and arranged two days of private, in-person training in Dublin. The course, An Introduction to ArcGIS Pro for Newcomers, was delivered for six people with different levels of GIS experience and gave all of the participants the confidence to start using the full functionality of ArcGIS Pro.

Notably, Esri UK & Ireland’s Learning Services team was able to tailor the private course to the Technical Bureau’s data and specific workflows, as well as deliver the training on a Friday and Saturday. “The Esri UK & Ireland trainers were very accommodating and adapted the course to fit our requirements,” recalls Inspector Colum Reilly of the Technical Bureau within An Garda Síochána. “The dates were arranged to minimise impact on court proceedings and enable as many of the team as possible to attend. Esri UK & Ireland arranged the venue and provided all of the laptops for us to use, which made it very easy for us.”

The Technical Bureau is now considering what additional training might be beneficial to staff to support the use of ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro, as well as optimise the functionality of ArcGIS Enterprise in the future, when fully deployed. Key members of the team have availed of the many online training resources available from the Esri Academy website to further advance their knowledge of ArcGIS technology.

Increased understanding of ArcGIS capabilities
The members of staff who attended the private training course now have a detailed understanding of the capabilities of ArcGIS Pro and can take on more ambitious projects. For example, the Technical Bureau is currently planning to develop new mobile apps, to support activities such as house-to-house investigations and special event planning. Inspector Reilly observes, “People are looking at ArcGIS now and understanding how it can work for them.”

Faster generation of digital map products
Staff now have the skills to deliver mapping applications and map products with ArcGIS Pro very quickly. The Technical Bureau can, therefore, respond much more promptly to requests for maps of crime scenes to support investigations or to clarify locations for juries in court cases. “It is such a quick process now to create a web app or map,” Inspector Reilly says. “If colleagues need a crime scene map, we can produce it in ArcGIS Pro very quickly. Esri mapping is a game changer for us.”

Better resources to support decision making
The Technical Bureau believes that it now has the technology and skills in house to deliver superior map products to support all kinds of policing activities. It is, for example, currently working on an interactive app for command centres that provides granular, map-based data on everything from CCTV locations to live road closures. “Digital mapping products like this provide a visual representation of what is happening around a site, to help Gardaí make decisions quickly and respond appropriately, when an incident arises,” explains Inspector Reilly.

Enhancements to existing, valued services
With new skills in ArcGIS Pro and the upcoming arrival of ArcGIS Enterprise, staff in the Technical Bureau are keen to review prior projects and enhance them. For example, the team plans to further develop an existing ArcGIS Online app that helps it to identify the locations of older people across Ireland. The solution will be refreshed as part of a community policing initiative to help local Gardaí provide ongoing support to older people and vulnerable people in scenarios such as flooding events.

A clear pathway towards paperless mapping
Finally, the training will undoubtedly help the Technical Bureau to achieve its goal of reducing demand for paper maps. By creating web apps in ArcGIS Online, such as the Garda Administration Boundaries app, the Technical Bureau has already decreased requests for paper maps in such areas by nearly 50%. With new projects in development, such as an app for monitoring the issue of warrants, it is making significant progress towards its ultimate goal of paperless mapping.