Civil Police vehicles and helicopters gain satellite internet in SC – OCP News

The State Government has increasingly invested in innovation and technology to improve the services provided to citizens living in Santa Catarina. Civil Police vehicles and aircraft gained satellite internet to guarantee communication between the corporation in activities in more remote regions or in so-called shadow areas.

The project, in an experimental phase, was led by the State Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation, in partnership with the Civil Police, and presented to governor Jorginho Mello, during an event in Morro da Fumaça, this Friday (26), where the inauguration of the new police station headquarters took place.

“These initiatives fill us with pride, because we are fulfilling the mission of taking care of people with this innovative capacity that Santa Catarina has. I always say that technology is there to make citizens’ lives easier, improve the service that the State offers to the population. This is yet another action that shows our work to improve Public Security in Santa Catarina, which is an example for Brazil”, said Governor Jorginho Mello.

Throughout the week, antennas were installed to guarantee connectivity at the Civil Police Saer (Aeropolice Service) base in Criciúma. After use, the results will be evaluated to find out whether the equipment meets the needs of the Civil Police or whether there are technical issues to be adjusted. Financial feasibility studies and investments for acquisition will also be carried out. The helicopter operating in Chapecó will also receive internet via satellite. The equipment is the most current available on the market.

The use of satellite internet is a revolutionary technology because the radio will no longer need to use a chip that depends on internet service, like a cell phone. The low-orbit satellite, used in the project, has a constellation of several satellites orbiting the Earth that guarantees 24-hour coverage of the service.

The benefits include more stable connectivity, the possibility of transmitting heavier data such as images (photos and videos), as well as the possibility of live connection. The antenna on the helicopter can also serve as a support for connecting to a land base, such as a vehicle, for example.

The second phase of the project will take place after evaluating the results of the first stage and provides for the so-called smash connectivity: including connectivity with the civil police officer. If the police officer needs to leave the vehicle and enter a dense forest, for example, he will have a connection to the radio communicator and will also be able to transmit the exact location of where he is (georeferential), providing more security for the professional.

The initiative was planned and executed by the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, in partnership with the Civil Police. “Governing is generating connection. And this type of connectivity transforms and saves lives, as well as providing more quality and safety for those who are working. Through satellite communication, we enable greater agility and confidence in the services provided”, says SCTI secretary, Marcelo Fett.

The general delegate, Ulisses Gabriel, explains that the Civil Police invests in technology, in the development of civil police officers and in infrastructure. “This new functionality will allow Saer and the Civil Police in general to further improve the quality of the provision of their services to the population”, he points out.

Ulisses Gabriel adds that all the investments made by Governor Jorginho Mello and the support he has given to the institution have resulted in increased productivity of the Civil Police. “We reached the historic milestone of having 80% of homicides solved. In 2024 we also had 441 arrests in the act; 2,435 search and seizure warrants served and another 1,920 arrest warrants served. The numbers reveal the high performance of the Civil Police, which together with other security forces work to ensure that Santa Catarina remains the safest state in Brazil”, he notes.

For Saer delegate Gilberto Crepaldi Mondini, this new technology, which the Civil Police is pioneering in implementing, both in the Wi-Fi signal and in radio communication, will be of great difference to the operation of Civil Police aircraft within the Aeropolice Service .

“Without a doubt, it will greatly optimize police work with the aircraft’s contact with police officers on the ground, whether by radio communication or by communication via messages and WhatsApp and other applications. In addition, we have aeromedical operations, as the two Civil Police aircraft carry out this type of activity. The doctor can previously have his patient’s information using the aircraft’s signal during the journey to a service, even after a transfer, already transmitting all the information about the patient who is in flight”, said delegate Gilberto Crepaldi Mondini.