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TOUGHBOOK in Action at the Third Largest County in the Nation – Harris County, TX

Learn how Harris County, one of the nation’s largest counties, modernized its law enforcement fleet with TOUGHBOOK® rugged laptops—strengthening security, productivity, and operational readiness across every unit.

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Powering Every Workflow: TOUGHBOOK in Action at Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office

The Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office in Texas employs approximately 380 deputies to serve approximately 1million residents. The Office also supports specialized operations throughout Harris County—the third-largest county in the United States housing over 4.8 million people. In addition to civil process, the downtown court house complex, and neighborhood patrol, where about 130 deputies are assigned each day, the Office manages unique divisions that no other county agency oversees. These include special units for mental health warrants, environmental crimes, animal cruelty investigations, and juvenile warrants. Overall, the Office is an essential resource for public safety and civil justice in the region.

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  • Challenges

    The Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office needed to replace the aging TOUGHBOOK 30 and TOUGHBOOK 33 devices that could no longer receive Microsoft security updates or support Windows 11—creating both operational and security risks.

    Serving nearly 1 million residents in Precinct One and supporting county‑wide units that assist 4.8 million people, Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office relies on dependable technology for its 380 deputies across divisions such as environmental crime, mental health response, juvenile warrants, and animal cruelty investigations. With devices reaching end of life, the Office recognized the need to modernize for reliability, efficiency, and long‑term supportability.

  • Solutions

    The Office adopted a role‑based technology strategy, deploying devices tailored to the needs of different units.

    As a member of Panasonic Connect’s Law Enforcement Advisory Council (LEAC), Assistant Chief Deputy Gore provided field‑driven input that shaped the design of the fully rugged TOUGHBOOK 40, ensuring it could withstand demanding patrol environments. The Office then deployed approximately 190 TOUGHBOOK 40 units to frontline patrol officers.

    For detectives, administrative teams, and command staff—who needed durability without full ruggedization—the semi‑rugged TOUGHBOOK 55 delivered the ideal mix of flexibility, performance, and reliability.

  • Results

    The combined deployment of the TOUGHBOOK 40 and TOUGHBOOK 55 delivered a secure, Windows 11‑compatible technology ecosystem matched to each team’s operational reality.

    Patrol units gained rugged reliability and reduced downtime, while leadership benefited from a consistently low device failure rate, enabling the IT department to remain lean without compromising support. Overall, the modernization strengthened security, improved productivity, and enhanced operational readiness across all units.

The Office has long relied on TOUGHBOOK devices to support its variety of workflows. After nearly a decade of daily use, the TOUGHBOOK 30 and TOUGHBOOK 33 laptops remained in strong working condition. However, the devices eventually reached the point where they could no longer receive Microsoft security updates or meet Windows 11 requirements. To maintain network access and help enable continued security, the Office recognized it was the perfect time to upgrade. The team needed new devices that could keep up with deputies’ day-today workflows and provide the longevity and durability they always enjoyed with their previous TOUGHBOOK devices.

Assistant Chief Deputy Chris Gore saw the upgrade as an opportunity to align the next generation of laptops with deputies’ current workflows. For the new fleet, the department opted for a clamshell laptop. Since patrol officers use handheld devices for ticketing and evidence capture, a 2-in-1 design would have been cumbersome. Plus, they needed a device that could withstand the rigorous conditions of the job and help them stay connected in all environments, giving them flexibility to perform both office- and vehicle-based tasks.

From Patrolling to Investigations: The TOUGHBOOK 40 and TOUGHBOOK 55 Serve Varied Needs

When it was time to upgrade, Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office turned to Panasonic Connect once again, given the success and longevity they experienced with TOUGHBOOK devices in the past. This time, however, the department had a say in the development of the device they ended up choosing.

Assistant Chief Deputy Gore serves on Panasonic Connect’s Law Enforcement Advisory Council (LEAC), a group of law enforcement leaders who provide feedback on the development of new TOUGHBOOK products.

“Panasonic Connect is very good at bringing knowledgeable IT and law enforcement specialists together,” said Assistant Chief Deputy Gore. “This really helps ensure departments have the technology necessary to keep up with the evolving demands of the job.”

Assistant Chief Deputy Gore worked with Panasonic Connect to inform the features and design of the TOUGHBOOK 40, helping ensure the device would support the diverse needs of patrol work. Pleased with how the device turned out, Assistant Chief Deputy Gore decided to deploy approximately 190 fully rugged TOUGHBOOK 40 laptops to the Office’s 380 patrol officers. With the ability to withstand up to a 6-foot drop and extended battery life of up to 24 hours, the department knew the TOUGHBOOK 40 could handle the rigors of the job.

Given patrol officers primarily operate their laptops in vehicles, they needed a flexible solution for an ergonomic setup. The HA-40LVDA4L Havis Premium Vehicle Dock (quad pass) for Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 40 helps create a seamless mobile workstation, incorporating LIND power supply and multiple ports, including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and Quad RF. “At Havis, we’re proud to partner with Panasonic TOUGHBOOK® to keep officers connected and mission-ready. Together, we deliver reliable power, secure connectivity, and true mobile workstations—so every shift runs with confidence and efficiency,” said Chris Buck, Chief Revenue Officer at Havis.

Total cost of ownership was another key consideration for the department when choosing a new device. Their approach looks beyond the upfront cost to consider the full lifecycle—including maintenance and long-term support. Given the success and longevity of their previous TOUGHBOOK devices, the department had confidence in the TOUGHBOOK 40, which delivers durability and a low failure rate.

“Departments that make the switch from other rugged devices to the TOUGHBOOK 40 will notice a significant difference when it comes to reliability and uptime,” said Assistant Chief Deputy Gore. “With so many departments facing staffing shortages, they can’t afford to take officers off the street due to device downtime. Reducing failure rates by deploying a reliable device like the TOUGHBOOK 40 helps ensure officers can spend more time responding to calls and serving their communities.”

While deputies required fully rugged devices, the Office deployed approximately 85 semi-rugged TOUGHBOOK 55 laptops for detectives, administrative staff, and command personnel. Ideal for their workflows, these team members primarily work at desks, handling investigative tasks, analyzing case information, and completing administrative tasks. Occasionally, detectives take the device into the field to conduct interviews with witnesses or collect evidence. The Office appreciated that the TOUGHBOOK 55 combines everyday durability with the flexibility to support the unique workflows and needs of each role.

To keep all personnel connected, each device is activated on Verizon’s advanced network. This setup supports strong bandwidth and coverage across Harris County’s wide service area, reducing dead zones and allowing deputies to access vital systems wherever they are. “The strong antennas inside the TOUGHBOOK 55 and TOUGHBOOK 40 removes the need for us to have any additional external antennas, which results insignificant cost savings,” explained Assistant Chief Deputy Gore.

Maximizing Uptime: Supporting Day-to-Day Workflows with TOUGHBOOK

The TOUGHBOOK 40 and TOUGHBOOK 55 provide the Office’s employees with reliable, Windows 11-ready devices that support their daily workflows. Patrol officers appreciate the clamshell design of the TOUGHBOOK 40 and features such as sunlight-readable screens, backlit keyboards, and modular xPAK add-ons that adapt to changing field needs. From filing reports in bright daylight to completing covert operations at night, the TOUGHBOOK 40 delivers consistent uptime and dependable performance, helping officers stay productive in any environment.

Civil and command staff now rely on the TOUGHBOOK 55 for daily investigative and administrative duties. Detectives can confidently take their devices into the field for interviews or evidence collection, knowing they can withstand travel and outdoor elements. Similarly, command staff have a dependable device they can easily carry during occasional rounds.

The Office also values the low failure rate of TOUGHBOOK devices, which allows the IT team to stay lean while supporting a large workforce. With so many employees, constant device repairs aren’t feasible. When issues do arise, IT can quickly send devices to Panasonic Connect’s support team, saving time and ensuring minimal disruption. The overall reliability of TOUGHBOOK devices keeps workflows uninterrupted and reduces the need for frequent replacements.

The combined power of the TOUGHBOOK devices and the advanced network reliability of Verizon Frontline helps employees and their devices stay connected even during challenging conditions like hurricanes and crowded events like when the Houston Astros won the World Series. With 5G connectivity, the Office is embracing the future of connected policing. Taking advantage of better bandwidth and faster speeds, 5G lets patrol officers stream more real-time footage to assess a scene, enhancing their situational awareness and helping them adopt a more proactive approach.

The Office continues to appreciate its partnership with Panasonic Connect, knowing that today’s feedback will shape future product innovations. “Panasonic Connect has always been good about seeking feedback from experts in the industry to enhance their products,” said Assistant Chief Deputy Gore. “They’re not just focused on driving sales—they want to help departments stay ahead of future trends with their products.”

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