HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.eMemorandum
To: Dennis Feller
CC: Interim Chief Kornmann
From: Captain Arvidson
Date: 10/21/13
Subject: Dragon Voice -to -Text software and equipment
ITEM 6.e
City of Lakeville
Police Department
Five officers were given the task of using the voice -to -text software. Three of these
officers are assigned to the Investigation division and two are assigned to the Patrol
division. They were provided equipment, individualized training, and on -going support
with the product. Their objective was to test the products capabilities and to determine
if it reduces workload for them and increase work productivity.
After several months of use the following concerns were noted:
• The types of forms and documents we create often have names and addresses
contained within them. Dragon often had these spellings incorrect causing the
user to spend additional time correcting and proofing the document.
• Street names often are incorrect. An example would be Jacquard Avenue being
transcribed as Jaguar Ave. Our records staff, which proofreads all reports, would
assume the street printed was correct and not know the officer meant a different
street name. This will cause the document to move through the system with
incorrect information, a significant problem in criminal cases.
• Dragon is a single voice recognition program meaning it can never be used to as
a Voice -To -Text product when audio statements are taken from
suspects /witnesses /victims and need to be transcribed. These transcriptions
must be exact and without error as these documents are introduced as Exhibits
in criminal cases.
• Several of our forms are saved as templates within our system. Most have drop
down boxes to select data and increase the speed and accuracy in which the
officer can complete a report. The Dragon process is slower and not as
accurate. Our officers believe that taking the extra steps to instruct Dragon to
accurately open a drop down box and fill in the appropriate data is more time -
consuming and frustrating than the method we currently work under.
Additionally, I contacted the Dakota County Sheriff's Office and inquired how
they use and view the Dragon product. They indicated that only two
investigative deputes currently use the product. It took them approximately 16
hours to "train" to use the software; no patrol officers currently use the product.
The Sheriff's office has removed the product from use within their squad cars. It
was their belief initially that Dragon was going to give them the biggest win in
Patrol with the scripts they had done for running plates, DL's, and status
changes. Unfortunately, the cramped cars do not lend well to an additional
microphone and the hands free microphones are $600 each; an investment they
are currently unwilling to make with the questionable success of the product.
They mentioned that Chader, the company that supplies the product, has been
very accommodating to teach them options to use and improve the product.
The cost of the 5 stations /license was $4,937.01, and we are currently budgeted
in 2015 for the purchase of 58 at a price of $65,134.
Recommendation: The $65,134.00 request for additional licenses to outfit the
agency can be removed from the 2015 budget.