Enhancing Visibility and Safety of Law Enforcement Fleets Through Telematics

How long has Ford Telematics been offered to law enforcement agencies?

Ford Pro Telematics officially launched for police agencies in 2018. It is a comprehensive software platform designed to optimize fleet management through real-time vehicle monitoring and performance insights. Ford Pro Telematics offers a suite of features including live GPS tracking to monitor vehicle location and driver behavior, vehicle health monitoring with alerts for warning lights, oil life, recalls and the ability to schedule service directly through the platform. For enhanced efficiency, the system provides insights into fuel consumption, EV range and idling times. Furthermore, it offers tools to set controls, such as preventing vehicle starts at specific times or restricting vehicles to designated areas. Ford Pro Telematics integrates with modemequipped Ford vehicles from the 2020 model year onward, eliminating the need for external hardware. All data is accessible through a user-friendly dashboard and the Ford Pro Telematics Drive app, allowing fleet managers and drivers to access information and manage their vehicles from anywhere.

What type of data is collected, and how does it help agencies in decision-making?

Ford Pro Telematics provides a user-friendly dashboard with valuable information such as fleet tracking and vehicle health monitoring, including driver behavior data. This data offers crucial insights into how vehicles are used, impacting maintenance costs and overall vehicle health. The Ford Pro Telematics Drive app enhances fleet management by enabling remote monitoring, trip detail exports, vehicle checks, and remote locking/unlocking.

From a law enforcement perspective, Ford Pro telematics data empowers agencies to make informed decisions about vehicle replacement based on actual performance data rather than arbitrary timelines. This includes analyzing driver behavior data, such as rapid starts and hard braking, in order to better to understand its impact on the wear and tear of the agency’s vehicles.

By optimizing vehicle lifecycles and maintenance based on real-time data, Ford Pro telematics and software contribute to more strategic budget allocation and better resource management. This includes extending the use of efficient vehicles and retiring less efficient ones sooner, while also minimizing unexpected maintenance costs.

What type of features are included that keep officers on the street safe?

Features like instant crash notifications, even when the ignition is off, and the ability to see the location of vehicles in the fleet can help inspire confidence for law enforcement agencies. Knowing that colleagues are aware of a crash and its location right away, and having an overview of the fleet’s status, can provide peace of mind. Oftentimes, this feature allows for a rapid response, which is crucial for officer safety.

Additionally, the lock/unlock feature decreases the downtime of officers on the side of the road should they lock themselves out (with vehicles not keyed alike). Also, remote start gives the ability for the operator to start the vehicle prior to service (hot/cold weather) which puts the vehicle in a more comfortable state prior to driving which can decrease distractions. Driver Behavior reports allow for agencies to keep a “scorecard” on their operators, which gives them an opportunity to correct driver behavior and encourage good driving habits.

What are some of the success stories?

Ford Pro Telematics is enhancing police operations by improving both effectiveness and peace of mind, as demonstrated by the Avondale Estates Police Department in Georgia. Police Chief Harry Hess leveraged the Ford Pro Telematics data insights, gathered via vehicle modems and analyzed within the Ford Pro Intelligence software platform, to streamline vehicle maintenance. Real-time alerts, like check-engine lights, allow for prompt repairs while tracking mileage, oil life and driver behavior provided a comprehensive overview of fleet health. Crucially, the data enabled Hess to develop a data-driven fleet replacement plan, optimizing vehicle lifecycles and saving budget dollars by extending the use of cost-effective vehicles and retiring less efficient ones based on real-world performance rather than arbitrary timelines. This data-driven approach allows for more strategic budget allocation, ultimately contributing to improved resource management within the department.

In Dane County, Wisconsin, Ford Pro Telematics proved crucial when Deputy Ben Kunde’s parked patrol vehicle was struck by a civilian car. While Kunde was able to escape injury and contacted dispatch, the system simultaneously alerted his team of the crash. This automatic crash notification feature, considered invaluable by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, ensures prompt assistance even if a patrol officer on the street is incapacitated. Recognizing its life-saving potential, the department now considers Ford Pro Telematics as essential as their other standard safety equipment, equipping their 127 patrol vehicles with the system.