JML Software Solutions Ltd

Chronicle Armoury was “developed in partnership between the Home Office Scientific Development Branch, (HOSDB) and an operational Police Firearms Support Unit”. Follow this link to download the HOSDB document.

The project was as a result of the review by the Police Complaints Authority on shootings by police in England and Wales from 1998 to 2001. Recommendation 21 of this review states:
‘ACPO should review the methods used for recording the booking out of weapons, ammunition and other firearms equipment.’

The purpose of Chronicle Armoury is to;

• *Give an immediate issue/no issue decision based on weapon type and level of officer authorisation.
• Provide quick information regarding the current location and status of a weapon.
• Provide an auditable record of all firearms issues, returns and movements.
• Provide an element of ammunition stock control and weapons maintenance information.
• Provide management information and generate reports based on real-time information, to include a full weapons inventory at any given time.
• Additional features including Armoury Access Control and Mobile armoury issuing are amongst the enhancements that can be added to compliment Chronicle Armoury in accordance with your needs.
• * When linked to Chronicle Firearms, this can be done by inputting the training event directly into Chronicle firearms which will then automatically update Chronicle Armoury with the officers' authorisation status.

Overview
The aim of Chronicle Armoury is to improve the efficiency and day to day management of the firearms issue information by means of a user friendly computer based system and effective use of current technologies. The system introduces tighter controls on the weapons management process and the ability to produce accurate, up-to-date reports for audit trail purposes.
The systems capabilities can also extend to controlling and monitoring access to the armoury and monitoring and capturing the issue of weapons from mobile armouries such as ARVs using wireless data transfer technology.

How it works
The basic principle of the system is to determine a method to uniquely identify both firearms officers and weapons. To achieve this, the system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag technology. The RFID tag electronically stores a unique number which can be associated to an individual officer or a weapon. The tags can be read electronically and can be produced in various forms and sizes.

What is RFID?
The fundamentals of RFID are dependent on a tag (or transponder) and a reader. The tag contains an electronic circuit that contains a unique identification code. The tags used in this application are referred to as ‘passive’ tags, which means they do not have a battery or power source on-board. The reader is connected to a power supply and emits radio waves so that when the tag comes within range of the reader, the tag is energised by the power of the reader and causes the tag to transmit its unique ID code, which is received by the reader.

Advantages of RFID

• They transmit a unique ID.
• The unique tag information can be associated with database information.
• No power source is required – the tag is energised by the reader.
• They can be retrospectively fitted to the weapon.
• Short read range avoids spurious or accidental readings.
• No geographical information is gained from the process
• No ‘line of sight’ required for reading tags.
• Less susceptible to damage than Bar Codes.

Click on the link below to download a document detailing the Features and Benefits of Chronicle Armoury.



Download the Chronicle Armoury brochure here.