Police departments around the nation are implementing digital dashboards to be used in conjunction with their existing database and network. These dashboards can provide instant, real time information on the crime that is occurring in the community. By saving law enforcement personnel valuable time, authorities are able to reduce their response time to citizens. The efficiency of the new technology allows law enforcement agencies to better manage their resources in a more efficient manner. And by allowing the sharing of data between various agencies, the efficiency increases yet again.
A digital dashboard provides key performance indicators to law enforcement managers. It lets police officers keep track of where crime is occurring, when it is occurring, and what crimes have been committed in a certain area. It allows for quick identification of out-of-state criminals who may have an inclination toward crime in a particular city. In fact, by using this data, police can stop an individual on suspicion of drunk driving before they drive a car. Such a device has revolutionized law enforcement and made it possible for police to collaborate and communicate information quickly.
A digital system can be implemented in police departments as a standalone unit. Or, if an agency is planning to expand its current system, an upgrade is available. Upgrading a current database can be a daunting task. But luckily, because of advances in technology, police departments can acquire the information they need very easily.
Upgrading a computer system will not only improve communication between police departments. It will also improve the way in which police report data is collected. There are now software programs which allow police officers to fill out incident report forms online. These forms are then stored electronically and can be accessed through any computer that has internet access. This means that the incident data does not need to be faxed, mailed, or collected in a physical format.
Another benefit of the online reporting system is that it helps law enforcement agencies to save money. By combining data sources (such as crime reports and arrest warrants) into a single database, agencies are able to cut their storage costs and get better use of their valuable resources. Not all law enforcement agencies have access to this type of technology. Law enforcement agencies that do have online access can also share information with each other. This sharing makes it easier for them to exchange crime data and prevent overlap.
In some cases, a fusion center may be used by law enforcement agencies. These centers receive all the information about a case and then send it to one central location. From this central location, law enforcement agencies can view and access all the data at one time. This saves time, and it also reduces duplication of work. A fusion center can serve as a clearing house for all the different data.
Technology in general has made it easier for police officers to identify criminals. Digital technology has also made it much easier for police to deal with criminal offenders. With a digital transformation in police recruitment, police departments are able to process more applicants faster and receive qualified applicants for the positions available. Because the jobs being eliminated through digital transformation are some of the lowest-hanging branches, the pool of applicants is often high enough to meet staffing needs.
As far as technology in law enforcement goes, the goal is to improve communication between officers. Many years ago, police officers had to write down notes on every suspect that they came into contact with. With the advent of GPS technology, and more recently the development of digital devices such as handheld readers, police officers no longer have to write down notes. These readers allow them to quickly access the information they need, quickly and clearly. Because technology has made it easier for police to communicate, it is likely that this trend will continue.
Deepak Wadhwani has over 20 years experience in software/wireless technologies. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies including Intuit, ESRI, Qualcomm, Sprint, Verizon, Vodafone, Nortel, Microsoft and Oracle in over 60 countries. Deepak has worked on Internet marketing projects in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange Country, Denver, Nashville, Kansas City, New York, San Francisco and Huntsville. Deepak has been a founder of technology Startups for one of the first Cityguides, yellow pages online and web based enterprise solutions. He is an internet marketing and technology expert & co-founder for a San Diego Internet marketing company.