|
The Law Enforcement Take: Fall 2020
|
|
The Law Enforcement Take from Harry Markley
Supporting at-risk community members using technology
|
|
|
Law enforcement uses technology to be more efficient, get actionable information, and help keep officers safe. Technology was front and center at the recent International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) virtual conference held on Oct. 20-23. My colleagues at the FirstNet Authority hosted and participated in an educational session called “Technology to Support People in Need.” The session focused on how technology can help law enforcement better serve at-risk populations. FirstNet supports this effort by enhancing situational awareness and enabling a secure exchange of information.
Technology can increase officer and community safety
The conference session featured three police departments that use technology to support at-risk people in the community. The at-risk category includes people who have unseen medical conditions, mental illnesses, potential for violence, frequent police interactions, are in crisis, or are experiencing other sensitive situations.
Police awareness of an at-risk person’s condition is beneficial to everyone involved. It can increase safety for the officer, the person, and the community.
Folsom Police use app to expand situational awareness
One of the panelists at the conference was Chief Rick Hillman from the Folsom Police Department in California. His department uses a service that alerts officers when they are approaching an at-risk person. Typically, officers have scant information about the people they are interacting with. This service gives officers real-time information about a person’s condition, including any disabilities, behavior triggers, communication needs, language barriers, or personalized de-escalation techniques. Officers can use the app to play audio or video messages from the person’s caretaker to help them feel safe.
The ability to get actionable insights in real-time about an at-risk person is an important part of an officer’s situational awareness. As shown in the FirstNet Authority Roadmap, situational awareness is a top priority for public safety’s network. It’s one of six technology domains where the FirstNet Authority is prioritizing resources, investments, and partnership activities. We understand that first responders must be able to access critical data during split-second decision-making.
Sharing sensitive information requires advanced security measures
There are more than 150 unique applications in the FirstNet App Catalog, with many of them designed to enhance situational awareness. The apps are tested, reliable, and designed for public safety. While first responders can use apps from any commercial store, the FirstNet App Catalog only offers apps that have undergone a rigorous vetting and approval process.
When sharing sensitive, personal information like a person’s medical condition, you want a network with advanced security measures. Secure information exchange is another Roadmap domain that public safety considers a priority for FirstNet. FirstNet offers end-to-end encryption, user authentication, and round-the-clock monitoring by network security staff to protect data, apps, and services on the network.
Your experience
The FirstNet Authority’s law enforcement team is focused on supporting your technology and communication needs. We want to hear your feedback. Send me an email to share your experiences and ideas.
|
|
Tech, Innovations, and Hot Topics in Law Enforcement
Read what we’ve been hearing from public safety in the field about trends and drivers for law enforcement and emergency communications.*
Police officers at Travis Air Force Base in California are using a new virtual reality system that innovates law enforcement training. The training allows officers to virtually participate in stressful situations found in the real world. The virtual training scenarios range from everyday encounters such as small traffic violations to tense confrontations that require measured decision-making.
|
|
|
For Chief Paul Keith, Bay Arkansas Police Department, interoperable communications with the town’s fire department is critical to protect and serve their rural community. “Interoperability in our first response should be top notch,” says Chief Keith. “So far with FirstNet, it has been.”
Watch the video |
|
Harry Markley is a Senior Public Safety Advisor and the First Responder Network Authority Law Enforcement Subject Matter Expert. Learn more about Harry or email him with your questions. |
|
|
|
*FirstNet Authority may provide hyperlinks for third-party, non-governmental websites in order to offer additional context and added value for our users. FirstNet Authority does not endorse any product or service and is not responsible, nor can it guarantee the validity or timeliness of the content on hyperlinks outside of the federal government. In addition, users may wish to review privacy notices on non-government sites since their information collection practices may differ from ours.
|
|
|
|
|
