Police in Adelaide will be issued tablet computers so they can do their paperwork on the beat instead of back at the station.
Premier Jay Weatherill says 350 tablets will be issued to northern suburbs police for a 12-month trial.
The computers will allow officers to capture, retrieve and submit information on location instead of returning to the station.
"South Australia has more police than ever before, but people want officers to spend more time on the streets and less time doing paperwork behind a desk," Mr Weatherill said on Tuesday.
"These tablets will significantly reduce the need for officers to return to the police base."
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The state government says a similar trial in New Zealand indicated officers saved about 30 minutes over an eight-hour shift by using the technology.
Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia and NSW are testing similar systems.
Deputy police commissioner Grant Stevens welcomed the move.
"This reduces travel time, allows other officers access to information more rapidly and overall increases the frontline capabilities of officers," he said.
The trial will begin in February.
