Probation Officer Efficiency through Mobility:

The Benefits of Mobile Connectivity for Officers in the Field

19th Judicial CircuitLake County, IL

Objectives & Expectations

• Identify the need for mobile technology• Review different options available• Demonstrate current method of connecting to

virtual desktop or virtual private network• Review problems / obstacles found during

implementation• Review policies and procedures associated

with program

Our OrganizationVISION STATEMENT OF THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

LAKE COUNTY

The vision of the Lake County Judicial System is to be onetruly independent and empowered branch of government

providing a fair and responsive system of justice while protecting rights and liberties, upholding and interpreting the law,

and resolve disputes peacefully, fairly and effectively in Lake County,

Illinois.This includes an effectively managed Judiciary and Judicial Systemthat fully utilizes technological advancement and alternative

dispute resolutionto best serve the public, while seeking the highest possible

understanding,trust and confidence.

 

Our Organization

• Who are we?– 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Lake County, IL

• Organizational Chart– Chief Judge• 15 Circuit Judges• 24 Associate Judges• Executive Director– Six Divisions

State of Illinois – Lake County• Illinois Population –

12,882,135 (2013 est.)• 102 Counties• 23 Judicial Circuits• Lake County Population

– 703,462 (2010 est.)• 19th Judicial Circuit• 39 Judges• 4,314 – active Adult

Probationers

Adult & Juvenile Probation Services

• 65 Adult Probation Officers• Adult Probation Units

– Field Service– Gender Specific– Intensive Probation– Field Surveillance– Pretrial (Pretrial Bond Supervision)– Presentence Investigation– Public Service– Sex Offender– Special Caseloads / TIM

• 33 Juvenile Probation Officers

Field Officers Job & Duties• Prepare copies of clients’ court orders• Prints photos of clients• Record Checks for latest Court record status (warrants, recent address,

treatment, compliance, etc.)• Map clients addresses for routing• Home visits• Supervise Clients in the field• Contact Notes• Make contacts with Probation Officers, Police Agencies, State’s Attorney’s

Office (i.e., phone calls, text messaging or email from home) • Prepare violation memos• Back to the office to enter updated information into Case management

system, file memos, etc.• Update Supervisor if necessary

Field Work Challenges & Issueswithout Mobile Technology

• Issues– No access to information

• Court Order information• Probation record• Recent violations, on warrants status or sex offender

information

– Carries loads of documents– Carries copies of defendants photos for identification– Delay in communicating important or urgent

information

Field Work Challenges & Issueswithout Mobile Technology

• Challenges– Note taking is cumbersome out in the field; use of

paper & pen; redundant entry into case management system back in the office

– Method of communicating back to the main office is through phone calls or texting

– Email is only accessible through a remote portal from a desktop, office or home

– Officer Safety is always a concern

Why Think of Mobility?

• Technology Trends

Technology Trends

• Consumerization has reach the tipping point

Computing Everywhere

Technology Trends • Availability of Different formats & platforms– Smartphones, Phablets– iPads, tablets– Laptops, hybrid– iOS (Apple), Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Android,

Chrome

Technology Trends

• Cloud Computing– SaaS – Software as a Service

• Microsoft Office 365• Amazon• Google

– PaaS – Platform as a Service• Google• Microsoft

– IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service• Microsoft• IBM• Rackspace

Technology Trends

• Virtualization – (Desktops and/or Servers)

Technology Trends

• Remote Access – Portal• Browser Based Applications

Technology Trends

• Wireless Networks

Technology Trends

• Mobile Security Risks

Technology Trends

• Mobile Security Risks

By TechTarget Report of 2012

By euclidtechs.com – Trends in Enterprise Mobility Page 6.

So Why Mobility?

• Instant access to information through mobile applications anytime, anywhere

• Information right at your finger tips when needed

• Access to current information• Enhanced Communication

Supervisors, Probation Officers, SAO’s, Police Officers– Email, SMS (Texting), Real-Time case information

• Officer Safety – GPS Locator

Tools on the Go

How did we do it?

Create a roadmap - brainstormDefine Requirements User Inputs and InvolvementTesting PhaseImplementTrainingDeployment

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

Business, Mission & Operational Goals Data/Information Applications or SoftwareType of Mobile Devices InfrastructurePerformance & ConnectivitySecurityRules of Engagement (policies and procedures)

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

• Business, Mission and Operational goals– Position Paper• Create a business case• Funding• Operational Goals• Return of Investment (ROI) – numbers are good, more

importantly it can prevent crimes, officer safety and promote efficiency• (Position Paper Format available)

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

Data/Information Basic Client Data, Probation Record, Court Status,

Photos, Contact Notes, History, etc.Applications or Software

Probation CMS, Court Applications, Portal, Back Office, Email, Calendar & Contacts, etc.

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

Type of Mobile Devices– Hardware - comes in different formats and sizes Smartphones, Phablets, Tablets, Hybrids & laptops– Platforms or Operating System Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, Apple iOS, Androids

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

Infrastructure Network Architecture Compatibility IT Support Device Management

• Remote Access– Cisco VPN– Citrix Receiver

• VDI (Virtual desktop)

– Portal– NetMotion Wireless

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

Performance & ConnectivityoMobile Connectivity – Radio or Cellular network

o Service Provider Area Coverage

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

Security Multiple Layers of Security

Network Firewall/AuthenticationDevice ProtectionEmail EncryptionMulti-Form Factor AuthenticationBackup/Restore ManagementRemote Management – Remote Device Wipe

A Roadmap to Mobility Implementation

Rules of Engagement – User AcceptanceSet Mobile policies and procedures in placeTraining, Training, Training, …

How did we do it?

Create a roadmap - brainstormDefine Requirements User Inputs and InvolvementTesting PhaseImplementTrainingDeployment

Testing Phase

Use 3 different devices; 3 end users Hardware/Operating System– Ipad Air (Wi-Fi only) - iOS– Dell XPS (Hybrid Model) – Windows 8.1– Dell Latitude with Broadband – Windows 7

Remote Access VPN versus VDI– VPN (Virtual Private network)– VDI (Virtual Desktop) Dell XPS

LIVE DEMO

LIVE DEMO LIVE

DEM

O

And the Results… Ipad Air- iOS

Pros – small and light, better for officers going to court, easy camera, great battery life, easy access to email, calendar, great to use an app to dictate notes, copy and paste option between operating systems, applications within VDI are all functional as normal

Cons - typing is difficult, clicking in VDI is slower, only VDI no VPN, poor case, lack of permanent network, Mi-Fi separate device to carry

XPS (hybrid laptop) – Windows 8.1 Pros – larger screen, full size keyboard Cons - clicking in VDI is slower, only VDI no VPN, poor case design, lack of

permanent network, Mi-Fi separate device to carry, some incompatibility with some applications

Latitude (Laptop) – Windows 7 Professional Pros – Built in 4G so no extra device to carry around, both VDI & VPN are

available, all applications are all functional as normal, Best One, more durability, faster, screen opens 180 degrees,

Cons - none

Assumptions & Next Steps …

End users liked the capability of having access to information anytime, anywhere

End users favored the laptop with Windows 7 Pro versus the hybrid and the iPad because their workstation and laptop are very similar less training required

Windows 8.1 using the current VPN remote access tool still needs some patch configuration updates on both ends to work properly

Challenging to use any devices inside the car, therefore suggested portable mounts for ease of use

Assumptions & Next Steps … Officers will be provided with laptops with Windows 7 Officers will be provided with Smartphones for the following reasons:

Use for making phone calls, SMS (texting), emails, calendars GPS routing, laptop can also be utilize GPS locator will be turned ON for Officer Safety Voice dictation for notes Taking Photos, laptops can also be use but maybe cumbersome to do

depending on the situation More importantly, smartphones will be use as a hotspot (Wi-Fi) to connect

the laptops Accessories will be provided such as car chargers, bags, device covers Officers will use laptops as their desktop so therefore their desktops

will be re-purpose to replace the interview rooms old PCs

Key Benefits• Improved productivity• Improved safety for officers and citizens• Increased field-level intelligence • Increased on-the-job effectiveness• Better in-the-moment decision-making

Key Benefits

• Reduced capital and operational costs through – no more desktops; no more wasting time going back & forth in the office;

• Enhanced communication amongst Officers & Administrators

In Summary:

• Efficiency increases productivity and saves both time and money.

• Mobility is not just an IT project, it is a Business Project• Make a list of Data/Information you would like to access in the

mobile world, i.e. remotely• Brainstorm with your IT, ask the possibilities• Develop a position paper, this will prepare your business case• Keep abreast of what is out there• Attend sessions, conferences, networking with people for

more up to date technology

Efficiency increases productivity and saves both time and money.

Contact InformationWinnie Webber, CCEDirector, Judicial Information Services19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County18 N. County StWaukegan, IL 60085847.377.3822wwebber@lakecountyil.gov Robert A Zastany Jr., CCEPrincipal Probation Officer19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County215 W. Water StWaukegan, IL 60085847.377.3614rzastanyjr@lakecountyil.gov

THANK

YOU

Disclaimer

Please Note that all devices and software mentioned and used is not an endorsement nor a marketing promotion; it is only for demonstration purposes ONLY for this workshop presented at the ----

Corrections Technology Summit 2015.