NSW Police have officially launched a new platform which will link police and the community, enabling members of the public to interact directly with police dispatchers and police responding to emergencies.
‘BluLink’ allows the public to provide police with GPS coordinates, live video streaming, digital media uploads, and text messages via a link sent to them from Triple Zero (000) dispatchers.
The platform can be used to help police confirm the exact location of an emergency, and for the public to send live vision to police of incidents as they unfold.
The information will assist in the dispatch of appropriate resources by allowing police to better triage incidents, and potentially support subsequent investigations.
Pre-recorded video or photos can be uploaded to police via an attachment request, and the platform’s chat functionality enables text messaging between police and members of the public in situations where voice calls are challenging. These chat messages can be translated into 150 different languages.
Powered by the GoodSAM platform, ‘BluLink’ is consent-based and easy to use, requiring members of the public to click on a link that is sent to them via their smartphones when they call Triple Zero (000). The platform is not an app, so members of the public don’t need to do anything beforehand.
A 12-month trial of ‘BluLink’ across selected Metropolitan and Regional Commands began in February 2023 and assisted with the investigation of the Bondi Junction stabbing incident earlier this year, the successful location of missing persons, and various rescues including lost bushwalkers.
During the trial the following has been achieved,
• More than 8300 locations obtained
• More than 100 High Risk Missing Person locations obtained
• More than 60 Missing Bushwalker locations obtained
• More than 78,000 Digital Victim Cards issued
• More than 700 Live Videos streamed
• More than 8000 digital media files uploaded
• More than 1500 Chat messages initiated
• More than 1600 requests for translation.
Minister for Police and Counter terrorism, Yasmin Catley, said the launch of ‘BluLink’ further strengthens the capability of police and emergency dispatchers by giving them instant, real-time access to unfolding emergencies.
“Police rely on members of the community to accurately describe an incident, so they know what they’re dealing with and how they need to respond; ‘BluLink’ gives them unrivalled access to a scene before they’ve even arrived.
“On average, police receive more than 1500 emergency calls for assistance every day; this technology will help triage and respond to incidents more effectively than ever before.”
Commander of Technology and Communication Services Command, Assistant Commissioner Stacey Maloney, said ‘BluLink’ will link the Police and the community.
“We know that members of the community are our eyes and ears and ‘BluLink’ is an innovative way in which further information can be provided to us during a Triple Zero (000) call, which assists us in enhancing our policing response.”
“’BluLink’ is expected to better assist the public and save time and resources across every police command for both front line and specialist areas.
“You never know when you might be in an emergency, or need to call Triple Zero (000), and ‘BluLink’ could help if something were to happen.”
