How can agencies integrate technology and data across their operations?

There are two key components to a successful agencywide technology and data endeavor. First, it is essential to conduct a thorough needs assessment to determine agency strengths and weaknesses in each of these areas. This will enable the agency to proceed with clear goals and avoid being overwhelmed by project scope and prospective vendors. Second, whenever possible, recruit some in-house assets who are most familiar with the existing technology and its challenges, the data structure, and overall analytical and policing needs. It is also vital to have representation that includes a cross-section of both creators and end users to have an understanding of where you’ve been, where you are, and where you would like to go.

First and foremost, executives seeking to integrate technology into police agencies need to thoroughly assess their resources and current staff, then create a realistic, flexible strategic plan. The plan must accept budget limitations and include options for funding (grants, donations, budget reprioritization, partnerships, etc.). Chiefs need to fully comprehend and convey what they expect to accomplish (accountability, expand public safety, engage community, improve officer safety, etc.). Finally, the best advice I have received is “go visit your neighbor.” Programs administered through the federal government and IACP facilitate learning through others. Agencies of various sizes and composition are willing to provide advice to other like-minded departments or create partnerships that could save valuable resources.

As law enforcement agencies embrace, acquire, and implement the latest technologies, they must place a focused, concerted effort on understanding the new data provided by these systems. During implementation of the technology, agencies should develop a plan to merge these new data with existing data. A top-down agency priority should include personnel conducting analysis on the combined data. Agencies should fuse information gathered from the analysis with research on effective policing strategies to address the specifically identified crime and disorder issue to develop their strategy. Once the strategy has been implemented, data should be utilized to determine the effectiveness of the strategy and inform future efforts.

With policing under the microscope, the decisions we make must be data driven and evidence based. To achieve that, agencies must have technology integrated across all operations and a commitment to data quality. Accurate analysis requires accurate, timely, and complete data being made available to crime analysts. That is how analysis is made available across operations.

With advances in CAD/RMS and data “dashboards” for executives, decisions can be made that will withstand scrutiny. That process is not easy, and it requires a commitment to data quality and the utilization of technology, data, and analysis to monitor, evaluate, and adjust resource deployment as needed. Through that process, we will know and commit to what works to reduce crime and disorder.