Law enforcement agencies face complex challenges that demand equally sophisticated solutions. To improve policing, the solutions should integrate advanced technology into daily operations. Numerous options exist for this technology, making it crucial for agencies to determine their priorities from the most helpful and promising technologies. Moving through the priority list, agencies must decide what tools are possible within the allotted budget, determining how the initial cost will fit within spending limits and how to manage continued maintenance.
For many departments, the crucial question remains: How can we ensure that technology delivers tangible outcomes that protect our community and assist law enforcement? The key lies in strategically deploying cutting-edge tools and aligning them with organizational goals, officer needs, and community expectations. This strategic alignment is essential, as it demonstrates how effective tech integration can enhance public safety, improve officer performance, and build stronger community trust.
Adopting New Technology
Technology adoption in law enforcement has increased significantly over the past two decades. From body-worn cameras to drones, automated license plate readers (ALPR), facial recognition, crime dashboards, officer wellness, and the latest data-driven analytic dashboards, tech solutions are embedded in nearly every facet of policing today. And all the technology must be managed and integrated, covered by policy and procedure, including training, replacement and maintenance needs, and so much more.
Everyone who has been in any workplace for more than a few years has been involved in a new program, system, or technology that was abandoned or changed when administrations or stakeholders changed, and law enforcement is no different. Sometimes, the latest technology addition becomes too cumbersome, not cost-effective, or just doesn’t work for the agency as they thought it would.
Strategy and Planning for Easier Implementation
Strategically determining what type of technology should be first, second, and so on is the first thing to do and can be difficult. Everyone in the agency knows what systems, programs, or tools should be next on the list to purchase, so creating a smaller group within the agency to study all the suggestions and come back with a list of priorities may be a good first step.
Planning the acquisition of new technology should include a plan over several years for purchase and implementation. The 5- or even 10-year plan for growth should also include replacement, upgrades, and maintenance of existing systems—both hardware and software. A longer-term roadmap allows the agency to make the best decisions based on budgeting, staffing, agency goals, and community needs.
Additional considerations are always part of the long-term plan. Some are listed below, but each agency has different needs depending on its community, stakeholders, and even elected officials.
- Cost: The amount is always one of the main factors in technology purchases. Knowing where the funding will come from is essential for making informed purchasing decisions. Grant funding ends after a specified time period, and those costs will need to be absorbed into the general budget or covered with a new grant or alternate funding source. Including the maintenance, renewal, and other fees is also critical for future budget planning.
- Priority: Determining the priority can be challenging based on the number of technology applications available, and knowing all of them could positively impact the law enforcement agency. This is where a group from within the department can work to sort through the list of items wanted and designate priorities.
- Integration: New technologies should integrate with existing technology to avoid unnecessary staff time spent on duplicate data entry. That integration should be seamless and benefit the agency.
- Agency culture: Implementing new technology is hard on staff and requires changes. Training should encompass how their daily routines will change and include the benefits of the technology. Benefits like how the new tech will help them save time or provide better results. The agency policy and procedure should also be updated to reflect any changes in work, staffing, reporting, etc.
- Community: Knowing the community’s needs and desires can help determine priorities for purchasing. For technology like body-worn cameras or community engagement systems, it can be a good idea to involve the community during and after the decisions. It may also help to keep elected officials involved in planning aspects of new technology.
Measuring the Outcome
For technology to be effective, agencies must focus on collecting and analyzing the correct data. Instead of asking, “Is this technology working?” agencies should define specific metrics aligned with departmental goals as part of the strategy and planning. Then, follow through by measuring the outcomes and notifying staff and the community.
Some technology measurements for public safety technology could include:
- Response time improvements
- Crime reduction
- Staff time savings
- Improved case clearance rates
- Improved staff wellness
When measurable outcomes are tracked, departments can demonstrate the value of their investments to policymakers, the community, and even the staff and officers using the technology. The reporting types needed after implementation should be determined as part of the strategy and planning before purchase.
Planning for the Future
Implementing technology to stay current is not enough. Technology that offers clear and measurable benefits provides the best value, but determining the value of technology for each agency is highly individualized. What works for some agencies will not work for others. With the advent of more law enforcement technology, the relationship between technology and tangible outcomes will become increasingly central. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics, and augmented reality (AR), offer tremendous potential to police departments.
Success will hinge on how well these tools are integrated and aligned with each public safety agency’s core mission. Departments must focus on outcomes rather than flashy tech for tech’s sake. This requires ongoing strategy and planning within the agency, as well as working with the community and elected officials on the long-term technology plan. From reducing crime to enhancing officer safety, the strategic deployment of technology can benefit communities and law enforcement agencies. By setting clear objectives, measuring outcomes, and building trust through transparency, agencies can ensure that their investments in technology genuinely make a difference.