Hawke's Bay police patrols have been taking more than law and order to the streets over the past couple of months - they have been taking their office "paperwork" with them.
And people, including some on the wrong side of the law, have been noticing.
"Word is getting around about what we've got," Section Three Constable Brian Halse said as he and patrol partner Constable Phillipa Smith prepared to set out on the evening shift last night.
"They look at what we've got and go 'aah, okay'."
The latest communications technology has led to more immediate responses from people being questioned as the new tools allow information and details to be checked on the spot.
Along with police sections in Countries Manukau West, Lower Hutt and West Coast, the Bay's patrols are out on the road trialling the latest technology - iPads, laptops and smartphones.
More than 100 frontline staff from across the four regions have been trialling the new systems, which had been introduced in a bid to help free officers up from desk work back at the office - allowing them to spend more time out on the streets.
"Staff are now able to be out in their communities, being highly visible in a preventative role, while still remaining productive, checking their emails and making notes in our National Intelligence Application all without having to return to police stations," Police Commissioner Peter Marshall said.
Frontline crews were also able to query people and vehicles, while out in the field, using the police intelligence sites.
In the past they would have to call their stations and request checks.
Mr Marshall said the introduction of the mobile technology was part of the Prevention First Strategy adopted by police.
As well as what he called optimising police resources and creating better service delivery at lower cost, the i-policing approach allowed officers more time on the frontline.
Increased visibility was a vital part of crime prevention, and created community comfort in that people saw police "out there".
And feedback from the frontline troops using the technology had been positive.
"It's helped me out in a lot of situations when it came to identifying people," Constable Smith said.
"Yeah, it can be pretty helpful," Constable Halse said, adding that while he still carried the notebook and pen he started out with on the job 12 years ago, the new technology was a welcome addition.
"And if I can get a handle on it anyone can," he said with a smile.
"It's a lot of stuff to learn but I'm getting the hang of it."
Feedback from the trials was still being gathered and would be closely analysed toward the end of the year.
"Police will then consider the opportunities for more full-scale deployment," Mr Marshall said.