Abstract: A system and method for an officer in the field to safely, efficiently, and quickly run license plate numbers and collect license plate numbers is provided. A central precinct server maintains a database of license plate numbers, including plate numbers associated with specific instances and plate numbers of interest (e.g., stolen vehicle plate numbers). Periodically, a patrol car computer is provided with a list of the plate number of interest (“hotsheet”) so that the patrol car computer is synchronized with the precinct hotsheet. The patrol car computer is configured with an audio data entry means that allows an officer can speak license plate numbers into the patrol car computer. The spoken plate numbers are translated into text by the patrol car computer and the text plate numbers are then used to query the patrol car computer hotsheet to determine the status of the license plate number. The status can be displayed on the screen of the patrol car computer or indicated by an audio alert.