William Bratton said Tuesday that the tablets would link officers on patrol to "real time crime information" contained in NYPD databases.
He said it would allow them to quickly look up the content of 911 calls, arrest records and other data.
The department is developing a mobile version of an application that officers already use on desktop computers. It plans to launch a pilot program in the coming months. There's no cost estimate so far.
Bratton outlined the program in remarks before the New York City Police Foundation.
He also told his audience that he's started talks with the Metropolitan Police Service in London and the Los Angeles Police Department to share crime-fighting strategies and research.
