What is one advantage that smartphones provide local police officers on patrol that was unavailable with earlier technology?

Officers can dial the local precinct and ask questions of the dispatcher or records clerk, where before they had to rely on a radio in the car.

Officers can stay in touch with their family while on duty, relieving some stress from the job.

Officers can now access information about a person they are questioning on the street or check the ownership of a vehicle by license number from any location.

Officers report that smartphones provide no advantage over earlier technology applications.