Area of competence

The Directorate of telematics is in charge of developing and managing telematics for the police services. For instance, the directorate manages the telematics architecture supporting the national general database and the national aspects of international police information systems, as well as the national data network, including the ASTRID network. It also establishes technical standards and rules for the technical management of local and federal telematics.

Telematics architecture means all computer and communication (radio, telephony, data, and video) systems supporting the integrated working of the local and federal police services.

The Directorate of telematics works in partnership with some branches of the private sector, so that the police services can reach their objectives in an optimal way, in a tailor-made telematics environment and with the appropriate communication means.

Field of action and composition

Centralised contact point

Any support request in telematics matters is preferably dealt with by the centralised contact point. Technical and functional system managers can contact the service centre twenty-four seven, by dialling a single call number. This service permanently refines the range of products, applications and services intended to be used by the final customer (i.e. the integrated police units), by applying the ITIL method which makes it possible to define and precisely assess telematics processes, in order to frame the “service management” concept.

The “application development” department

The “application development” department is in charge of conceiving, developing and managing local (ISLP), national (BNG) and international (SCHENGEN) computer applications.

The “departmental informatics” department

The “departmental informatics” department is in charge of developing microcomputing and office automation (PC and LAN) solutions in order to support operational, management and documentation applications. It also establishes technical standards (hardware and software) and takes part in purchase procedures, for instance by drawing up specifications.

Other tasks of the department consist in configuring and distributing hardware, using microcomputing means, offering second-line support (on call service is provided) and displaying expertise at the users’ request.

The “centralised informatics” department

The “centralised informatics” department is in charge of operating the existing central operational, management and documentation applications. It is the operational nerve centre.

The main concern of the department is the maximum availability (twenty-four seven) of all operational and non operational computer systems.

The “network management” department The “network management” department is in charge of developing communication solutions, except for radio communication (data communication, telephony, computer network, video).

The establishment of technical standards and the drawing up of technical specifications are also part of the missions of the department, which furthermore operates all those telecommunication means and offers first and second-line support (on call service is provided).

The “radiocommunication” department

The “radiocommunication” department organises, implements and operates the radio network of the police services (ASTRID network). The department is also in charge of internal and external coordination at both national and international levels, as well as keeping on operating the existing analogue networks within the framework of the definitive migration to the ASTRID network.

The department can rely, at provincial level, on technical radio sections for all maintenance and routine repair tasks. On call service is provided here as well, so that radio transmission problems occurring on the field can be dealt with.

The “quality and communication” department

The mission of the “quality and communication” department is to guarantee sufficient quality level for the products and services of the Directorate of telematics, as well as compatibility between the different products validated by this directorate.

The department also has to improve communication relating to the products and services of the directorate.

The “support” department

This department provides internal support within the Directorate of telematics and is in charge of managing the personnel, equipment and budgets, as well as of the administrative preparation and follow-up of procurement contracts in the field of telematics.