I've been tinkering with Linux for a while now. I own a netbook with Mandriva 2008 installed, and wiped my notebook clean of windows in favor of Mandriva 2009. I'm working on a desktop with ubunto, so I can play with zonealarm security software (just need to by a camera now).

I work a police agency that has over 1700 police officers. We have our own IT department. Recently, I've been seeing stories about police departments in the UK, and France switching over to Linux to lower costs. So this has gotten me thinking about what it would take for my department to make the switch.

MS Word: Open Office, I've already tested some forms with Macro's. OpenOffice had no problems running them.
Email: I'm not sure what would replace outlook, but I know there are plently of alternatives out there.
Premier MDC:This is our MDT program.This is the resource I need an alternative for. I've tried various search terms, but can't find anything on the internet. I'm sure I just haven't found the right keyword to try yet. I'd love to know what the officers in the UK and France are using.
Report writing software: We use an in-house program, so we could probably port it over, or write a newer version for linux. It could still be neat to find one, and install it on my laptop for research reasons.
I've already located a driver for the aircards that we use, and alternatives for the VPN stuff, so I know linux can serve our needs, I just have to figure out a solution for the MDT software.

Is there anyone here that can point me in the right direction?

That is the problem with niche software; it's hard to find a good OSS substitute. Since the program supports Windows 98SE, there might be a good chance that you'll be able to run it under WINE, or at least under vmware or VirtualBox running Win98SE...

I suppose you could also contact the developer, but that's a long shot.

BTW, just my opinion, but Thunderbird seems the most "outlook" like of email programs.

Surely you could contact them and ask? After all, you're not just some schmo...

Looking around I have not been able to locate traces of any GNU/Linux-based Mobile Data Terminal OSS. I think it would be well possible to commission such SW and iacptechnology.org's docs like Mobile Computing look like a good primer to me in terms of technology overview, security, type of network / used protocols, compliance / systems it should interface with, requirements and RFP's. One of the posted RFP's, though slightly older, gives some insights in requirements, extensibility and such. You could start small as long as you get the specs right ;-p
I agree with mostlyharmless that you, sworn in or not, probably best know your way around official and other channels to use for contact and research purposes.

Thanks guys, that mobile computing link is very interesting. There is a bit that I don't understand, but a whole lot of information I do get. I see that I have a long road ahead if I am going to be successful in making any changes to how we do things here. I suppose I will send an email to one of the UK police departments and see if they will answer my questions.