Samsung Equips Chicago Police With 10,000 Galaxy S Series Smartphones

New Mobile Devices Help Officers Reduce Paperwork and Engage More Closely with Their Communities

Samsung Electronics America today announced that the Chicago Police Department deployed 10,000 Samsung Galaxy S series smartphones to its officers. The Chicago Police Department is using Samsung mobile devices to help modernize police work where officers need to process vast amounts of information while personally engaging with their communities. The Samsung smartphones each include Samsung DeX, which gives users the experience of working on a desktop by connecting a smartphone or tablet to an external display device such as a TV, monitor or PC¹. Samsung DeX enables officers to quickly pivot from mobile to desktop experiences inside their vehicles – all without needing to return to their stations.

Samsung first partnered with the Chicago Police Department to launch a technology proof of concept in 2018. Under the expanded relationship, Samsung now provides mobile devices, Samsung DeX desktop experiences, and Samsung Knox security technologies for the city’s entire fleet of law enforcement, and has expanded to equip the Chicago Fire Department, as well. Today, Chicago’s police and firefighters rely upon Samsung technologies for secure information and communications as they protect and serve Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Giving Public Servants the Modern Mobile Tools They Need to Serve the Public
Chicago sought out technologies that would enable officers to engage with the people in their neighborhoods while reducing their time spent at desks processing paperwork. The Chicago Police Department is the second largest police force in the United States by sworn member size, with officers representing many ages and levels of experience, and the department needed to deploy a user-friendly technology that every person could use.

Paired with vehicle-mounted docks², Samsung Galaxy smartphones proved to be the perfect modern solutions for officers. Moving from laptops to handheld devices enabled Chicago’s police to carry their tools everywhere, dramatically improving their ability to gather and access information in the field. “Thanks to Samsung DeX, we went from 3,000 vehicle-mounted laptops to around 10,000 Galaxy S-series phones that are now either assigned to officers or in a specific vehicle daily,” said Dennis Baliga, Deputy Director of IT Infrastructure, City of Chicago’s Office of Public Safety Administration.

The Chicago Fire Department chose Galaxy Tab tablets with unified mounts, using Samsung DeX in Vehicle to provide the same consistent desktop experience when connecting tablets to in-vehicle displays. Firefighters know that they’ll see the same desktop interface regardless of whether they are in a fire truck on the South Side or North Side of the city.


Samsung Technologies Are Improving Efficiency and Streamlining User Experiences
Using Samsung Knox Suite – Samsung’s enterprise-grade security platform – technology teams can design the mobile and desktop interfaces they want users to see on their devices, streamlining access to critical and secure applications. Better yet, Samsung Knox makes device setup fast. The Chicago Police Department reduced the amount of time spent provisioning a phone by 75%, compared with three years ago, saving the city’s teams countless hours.

“Between our Galaxy devices, Knox Suite, and Samsung DeX, they are really increasing efficiency and improving their cost savings,” said Todd Maxwell, Samsung U.S. Director of Business Development.

With custom configuration, Samsung devices enable officers to quickly access a wealth of specialized information directly from the field.

“Our Galaxy devices allow us access to state and local databases, city licensing and permitting, so at a special event, I'm able to check the parameters of a special event permit. We also have access to specific applications, like the Department of Transportation hazmat guide. Instead of carrying a big book that is inches thick and several pounds, I have an app on my phone. And I can access city service requests. If I need to report a pothole or traffic lights out, I can do it right from the phone,” explained Aaron Levine, Chicago Police Department Entertainment Venue Team Sergeant.

Samsung Knox also offers unparalleled device security – a must-have for officers who routinely handle sensitive data in the field.

“We trust the partnership we have with Samsung. As officers run people's names, run their license plates, and are also logging into their systems, we have to worry about security like data leaks and HIPAA information. We are confident in Knox security. It ensures that they can do their job safely and securely,” said Dan Sullivan, Electrical Mechanic, City of Chicago’s Office of Public Safety Administration.

Supporting The Future of Public Safety and Services
From the versatile mobile-to-desktop transitions powered by DeX to the streamlined yet powerful and secure customizations enabled by Knox, Samsung equips public agencies and organizations with the technologies they need to meet modern challenges – from their offices and in the field. Samsung is dedicated to continually improving its products to support customers with cutting-edge innovations that precisely meet their needs.

The Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department’s successful implementation of Samsung’s solutions are already changing the way public servants interact with their communities, better preparing officers and firefighters to meet today’s neighborhood challenges. Samsung is continuing to develop tools that will improve communications, and outcomes for an even wider range of public agencies throughout the United States.

For more information about Samsung DeX, please visit https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/dex/
For more information about Samsung Knox, please visit https://www.samsungknox.com/

¹ Samsung DeX is available on Galaxy S9, S10, S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, Note8, Note9, Note10, Note20, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, and Z Fold5 series phones, and Galaxy Tab S4, S5e, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10 and Galaxy Tab Active3 and Tab Active Pro series tablets. Visit the FAQ page for a full list of device and software compatibility.
² Accessories and monitor sold separately.