Can Law Enforcement Technology Help With Staffing and Recruiting?

Is your agency short-staffed? Are there enough incoming officers to replace those retiring? Chances are that many agencies are answering yes to at least one of those questions. Some agencies have turned to technology to assist in recruiting and hiring and decrease some of the workload typically done by officers. Reducing workload and staff hours means more officer time is available for responding to calls for service and other agency priorities.

A 2019 study by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) found that 86 percent of responding agencies were short the officers needed to meet their total number allocated. And those numbers are not anticipated to change soon. With officers hired in the 1990s as part of Federal funding packages nearing retirement age, staffing concerns will remain at the forefront of policing. As agencies continue to work with fewer staff, leveraging technology to assist and optimize efficiency may offer viable alternatives. 

Leverage existing technology

The first step in leveraging technology is to check the agency's workload. What benchmarks and metrics are not being met? Are response times too long? What about quality of service and backlog on other tasks? An evidence-based workload assessment can show where there are bottlenecks in getting things done and help show what parts of the process can be handled with technology.

Next, determine what technology is currently in place and ensure it is used effectively. Are there other things the software can do that would free up staff time? One way to get ideas is to ask agency staff who work with the software the most and the vendor for out-of-the-box solutions they’ve heard other agencies use. Leveraging existing software and systems reduces training costs, and the annual maintenance fees are already included in the budget.

Savings through technology

Using technology currently available as a patrol assistant could free up staff time. Systems that log patrol vehicle locations automatically and transcribe narratives, interviews, and more from audio files add valuable time back to patrol units. License plate readers that log the queries note if the vehicle is flagged and put the questions into a searchable database. Even small time savings can add up, and saving overall staff time with technology, like the automated license plate readers, is something the public, elected officials, and even your staff want. 

Technology can also save resources in other ways. Body-worn cameras have proven highly effective in legal proceedings and have saved staff time in court appearances when the video encourages a plea or when video footage discourages someone from filing a claim or lawsuit. The ability to query a neighboring agency or the state or national database saves staff time as phone calls and email requests are replaced. Integrating the agency’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) through the agency website or other Internet portal allows the public to submit specific reports like minor thefts, some fraud reports, graffiti, vandalism, and other non-violent crimes. Technology can also automate data entry steps like transferring information from the CAD to the RMS system, saving staff time. 

Recruitment 

The younger workforce not only expects technology in their workplace, but many anticipate using the “cool new” technology seen on television and in the movies. Embracing new technology when feasible is one way to bolster recruitment. More recent technology may also help retain younger employees looking to move to another agency, especially if other factors are equal. 

As filling open positions becomes more complex, the new hires who choose your agency will look to their top priorities and select the agency that offers to meet their needs. Even if technology is not on their shortlist, a distinct lack of technology could cause prospective new hires to seek another agency.

Transparency and public trust

Working in law enforcement has never been an easy job. Historically, policing was an industry the public trusted. In today’s society, where the public uses video cameras to record police interactions, agencies are second-guessed and pushed to do more and meet public expectations. Technology allows law enforcement to track their work, ensuring internal agency standards are met. That same technology lets agencies share video footage and other data with the public to increase trust and transparency.

The public that holds law enforcement accountable may even view policing standards from a Hollywood perspective they see in TV and movies. Changing perceptions can be challenging, but sharing available information from technology, like video and audio recordings, can help bridge the gap in viewpoints. The technology can also hold officers and staff accountable as they know their actions are being recorded and reviewed.

The right technology

Technology is not the only answer to low staffing levels in law enforcement agencies. Used as a tool to help assess workload, save staff time, improve retention and recruitment, and improve transparency and public trust, law enforcement technology can prove beneficial. Staying current with the software, hardware, and systems available is the first step. Visit law enforcement conferences, keep up with industry news and updates, and ask your staff what they see as technology priorities for the agency and how leveraging the current technology could save staff time.

Planning the purchase and implementation of new systems, software, and hardware is ongoing. Considering the impact of the purchase and ensuring the agency’s annual budget can support the continued maintenance fees for the technology is also critical. With proper planning and diligence to learn about available technology, an agency can find the best tools to help law enforcement save staff time and can even be part of the recruiting and retention strategy.