They say hindsight is 20-20 and frankly, it’s hard to argue that it isn’t true. We know from experience that if we can anticipate the outcome of a situation, we’re likely to handle it much better overall. For Law Enforcement, information is power. It’s also safety. And security.
Risk Management
In the simplest terms, risk management is defined as a process for managing the risks you can identify. It involves identifying the level of exposure to risk and determining the best way to eliminate or at least minimize the exposure to those risks. But the process doesn’t stop there. Once a decision is made, it should be measured and monitored – enabling us to use that data to manage similar situations more effectively in the future.
I ran across a quote a while back (can’t remember who said it, sorry!) that said, “Knowing our risks provides opportunities to manage and improve our chances of success.” This is true. And with the advent of technology, we now have available resources that can turn our collection of data into information we can use in practical situations. Kind of like a GPS system that knows where the construction is (or if you live in PA, where the construction isn’t J). In Law Enforcement, administrators are responsible for managing the daily activities of officers; this may include hundreds of interactions with the public that would need to be tracked. By collecting data on, and management of, these interactions, administrators are able to provide proper future direction – direction that, in turn, leads to minimized risks and increased safety to Officers and the public.
How can we minimize risk?
Experiences of the past help us manage situations in the future. We may even be better equipped to predict the frequency of a situation, simply based on the history of those experiences. In Law Enforcement, this kind of insight can mean major cost savings and workforce productivity boosters – not to mention life-saving! The availability of a data visualization tool that can help administrators analyze past activities in order to better manage future interactions provides a strong infrastructure for success.
Access to relevant data improves awareness and safety for the Officer on duty. It also allows other Officers on patrol to prioritize their activities. Analysis of this data (including visual mapping) allows the user to identify specific trends, consistent patterns and any changes in targeted areas. As trends and patterns change, users are able to monitor occurrences and respond accordingly.
A good example of how this solution works would be a police department that uses a data analysis and visualization tool to track police interactions with the public. This could range from routine traffic stops to criminal arrests. Recording the time, location, and types of activities allow administrators to see the big picture based on the crime or the communities where these incidences are occurring. If certain patterns or levels of frequency bring about concern, considerations can then be made when it comes to determining the number of resources being deployed to those areas during the time of day these incidences may be occurring – right down to the day of the week. It can get as granular as it needs to be if the right data is being collected.
How does an automated system manage risk for us?
We already know that computers work much faster than people do. So the ability to take bits of critical data and formulate that data into useful information is something that software programs can do in a matter of seconds. The result? Increased efficiencies in process flow, resource allocation, and interactions. The more an Officer knows about a situation, the better equipped they will be at handling it. For example, if an Officer understands the criminal history of a person (or the lack thereof), it will make a difference in how the situation is handled. For an Officer on the beat, the ability to retrieve this kind of data through a mobile device like Honeywell’s Dolphin™ 70e Black makes it even easier for them. This slim, sleek unit is easy to use and convenient to carry. It was designed to withstand drops to concrete, dust and water sprays, and operates just like a Smartphone. It takes pictures and even has a built-in barcode scanner to make license scanning easy. When split-second decisions are informed decisions, the chances of the outcome being a safe and effective one are much more likely.
How to choose a solution
Selecting a proactive policing and operations management solution can be confusing. When searching for a vendor to partner with, be sure to look for a solution provider that has a history of working with Law Enforcement application technology. It’s also important to look for a tool that has the ability to combine multiple data sources and display them in customized views for the various teams that would be working with the data. The information can then be configured to monitor criminal activity related to specific locations or crime trends. The ability to combine data and analysis brings empowerment to Officers and enables administrators to optimize daily policing strategies.
L-Tron offers a total solution for proactive policing. Our package includes the hardware component (like the 4910LR or 70e Black) bundled with Crimeview® software customized for your application. This data mapping and visualization tool enables you to:
- Utilize interactive maps, charts and reports
- Analyze crime trends
- Search information using filters that allow you to customize queries
- Allocate resources where you need it most with a “hot activity” module
- Automate the flow of information throughout your precinct
- Arm your staff with a powerful tool to make data-driven decisions
So if this sounds like an app that could improve the way you’re currently tracking interactions, let us show you a demo of our solution. Contact L-Tron Corporation today at 800-830-9523 or contact us and we’ll provide you with the information and demonstration materials to get you headed in the right direction.
About L-Tron:
L-Tron Corporation is a leading technology solution provider to Law Enforcement agencies and other industries that benefit from the automation of processes for mobile workers. L-Tron brings their expertise to Officer.com to share ideas and information on current trends in the market that improve processes and increase efficiencies in order to better serve our communities.
