From monitoring officers’ positions in the field and analyzing crime data to storing and processing the thousands of warrants, tickets and orders that police issue every year, data analysis is the unsung hero of law enforcement. However, many agencies are not using their data as efficiently as they could thanks to outdated systems and old technology. If your department’s data tracking is lagging behind, consider these four ways to improve.
Track Officers in Real Time
Time is everything in law enforcement and knowing where your officers are at all times increases safety and allows for faster response times. Invest in an advanced GPS tracking system that lets staff back at the station follow dispatched officers in real time. GPS software can also keep a record of every officer’s location at any given time and be combined with dash and body camera footage to provide valuable evidence in court cases.
Resolve Identity Confusion
The last thing that any law enforcement department wants to do is mistake someone’s identity, but similar names in the system often create confusion. Reduce mistakes with identity resolution software that can quickly sort through the multiple Mr. Smiths in your database. This type of software can also be used to identify individuals and connect aliases for applications like fraud detection, criminal investigations, and counterterrorism.
Improve Crime Scene Analysis
Police departments all over the country have unprocessed crime scene evidence. Working through the backlog can potentially take many dangerous criminals off the streets and upgrading your crime analysis software is an effective way to speed up the process. New software solutions also allow officers to identify crime patterns so that targeted policing can help prevent robberies, rapes, and homicides before they happen.
Use Field Mobility Applications
Law enforcement officers spend most of their time in the field and not at the station, so having a way to carry essential data with them on-the-go is important. Equip your force with the latest in mobile technology to keep them connected to vital information like real-time beat maps, dispatched calls, road conditions and potential hazards in the area. These applications can be installed on smartphones and in police cars.
Is your department in need of a data upgrade, but you’re not sure where to start? Consider hiring a dedicated tech team to develop new systems and teach officers how to use them. Always put security first by ensuring that your new tech crew can be trusted with sensitive data and classified information.
