In a world where every second counts, the best mobile devices can provide public safety agencies with the tools they need to stay connected, access critical information and respond to emergencies in real time. That’s because a single device can contain a Swiss Army Knife-like array of tools that support frontline workers wherever they are, including emergency calling, location services, crisis alerts, and push-to-talk capabilities. First responders and police also benefit from high-resolution video and image capture, which helps them provide the best real-time responses to dangerous situations.
And like Swiss Army Knives, these mobile devices need to be powerful and rugged, as they must often function in difficult conditions. That includes battery power, too, as public safety work often takes place in the field, where outlets and chargers are not always available. Because public safety often includes the transmission of sensitive information and imagery, mobile security is equally critical at both the hardware and software levels.
The most effective public safety devices combine communications, security, durability and productivity tools in a single platform. Here’s how.
Ensure compliance with Criminal Justice Information Services standards
To ensure criminal justice data, such as fingerprints, criminal histories and biometrics, are protected across state, local and federal agencies, the FBI sets Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) standards that public safety officials must comply with. In a patchwork system of devices and software, it’s easy for that data to slip through the cracks and out of compliance. That’s why centralized management and enforcement of rules is so important.
Samsung Knox helps agencies manage device settings and security policies across their mobile fleet from a centralized platform. IT administrators can remotely configure applications, deploy updates and enforce security policies across devices, such as Galaxy Tab S11 Series tablets and Galaxy S26 Series mobile devices, whether that’s configuring applications, installing patches and updates or setting screen-lock timeouts. On Samsung devices, compliance extends to the hardware, including chip-level encryption that meets CJIS standards for data stored outside a physically secured environment.
Capture and view high-quality video and image feeds
To determine the best course of action in any public safety scenario, frontline workers and first responders need the clearest information possible in real time. That’s why top-of-the-line image and video capture can prove invaluable, whether sharing feeds from the scene of action to support teams and specialists back at headquarters or enhancing situational awareness before arrival. Police might also take pictures of evidence, suspects and vehicles to share with other officers. These recordings may serve training and review purposes or be shared with the public later.
In Galaxy S26, that’s achieved by three lenses — a 12MP ultra-wide, 50MP wide angle and 10MP telephoto. Galaxy S26 Ultra boosts them to 50MP, 200MP and 50MP respectively. With the Nightography feature, they work just as well at night. Galaxy AI and other features, such as Object-Aware Engine, further enhance the imagery. The Galaxy Tab S11 sports a 12MP ultra-wide front camera and a 13MP rear camera.
Translate and communicate in real time
In a multicultural society, public safety officials and workers often need to exchange information in dozens of languages. Language barriers can slow communication during emergencies and routine public interactions.
Galaxy AI on Samsung mobile devices and tablets has revolutionized this process by providing live translation for 22 languages, including Spanish, Filipino, Hindi, Turkish, Polish and Arabic. On the phone, this is done through the Live Translate feature; in person, Interpreter handles it.
They go both ways, too, translating the public safety officer’s language to the people they are helping and vice versa. That gets even easier on Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8, thanks to dual screens that face both directions. These allow the listener to see what the other person is saying without having to turn the phone around.
Take notes and generate reports
One of the most time-consuming tasks for public safety officials and officers is writing reports and completing the necessary documentation. Using the voice and audio records along with Transcript Assist, another Galaxy AI feature, they can channel these into preliminary drafts of reports in set templates that might include the type, time, place and description of an incident, as well as summary comments.
The Writing Assist feature helps hone the text further to find the right tone. The S Pen on the Galaxy Tab 11 devices takes this further by enabling direct writing into these reports to make necessary adjustments, notes and annotations. With Note Assist, the devices convert handwriting into easy-to-read digital text that can be copied and pasted where needed. These tools can reduce administrative workload and help personnel spend more time on operational priorities.
Monitor and support worker health
Public safety work can involve long hours, irregular schedules and high levels of stress. Over time, these factors can affect employee well-being and job performance.
Samsung provides this support through the Samsung Health app built into its devices. Through the app, first responders and frontline workers can monitor their sleep quality, step counts, dietary habits, metabolic health, body composition, heart rhythm and even medication management. That grows further when the app is linked to Samsung wearables like Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Ring. Health monitoring tools can help personnel better understand and manage their well-being.
Durable devices strengthen safety
Swiss Army Knives are famous not just for functionality but also for durability. Likewise, public safety devices must withstand demanding environments, including exposure to dust, water and drops, as well as extended field use.
Both Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy S26 Series feature IP68-rated dust and water resistance, an Armor Aluminum case and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus to withstand drops. Powerful batteries — up to 31 hours of video playback on S26 and 23 hours on Tab S11 — ensure public safety workers can benefit from Samsung devices at any time, day or night.
Witness Samsung technology in action with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in this case study. Also learn more about how mobile devices turn real-time crime center insights into immediate action.
