Speech recognition improves important reporting processes for public-safety services

Most public responders entered the field to perform a public service, not to sit in front of a computer typing up paperwork. By embracing technologies like speech recognition, these workers experience many time-saving benefits. Speech recognition, for example, is up to five times faster than typing. By using speech, officers save valuable time completing their reporting work—time that can then be better spent out in the field, serving the public and protecting their community.

In addition to speech simply being faster than typing, there are also unique customization capabilities that can be tailored to a first responder’s day-to-day responsibilities. For example, entire passages of text—for example, a signature or some specific terminology used in every case report—can be dictated with a single utterance, such as, “Insert signature.” These types of simple shortcuts reduce the amount of time that an officer needs to put toward a case report.

When out in the field, safety is paramount, both for first responders and the public they serve. Officers need to be vigilant, but this can be difficult when their main reporting tool is a laptop that is attached to the passenger seat of a patrol vehicle. By incorporating a mobile speech-dictation service or even a digital audio recorder to capture notes for transcription, officers can keep their eyes on what’s happening around them as they work on reports.

Ultimately, the goal for public-safety agencies adopting new technologies like speech recognition should be to streamline reporting processes, so they can save time, produce more accurate reports, capture important details in the moment, and dedicate the saved time to better serving the public.

Richard Brown is senior director of Dragon product management for Nuance.