3 Reasons Mobility Is the Key to Better Leadership

No day is the same in law enforcement. As soon as a call for service comes in and dispatch sends a response, officers head out to the scene equipped with as much information as the call taker could collect. Once on scene, the data collection continues in the form of names, addresses, citations issued, arrests performed, etc. Even the most basic call generates data.  

In all law enforcement agencies, command staff is expected to know details of all events going on in their agency and jurisdiction. With hundreds of calls a day and endless incident reports, that expectation can often feel almost impossible to meet.

So what command staff needs are tools that can provide that information anytime, anywhere. Imagine the possibilities for an agency, officers, and even the community if command staff had access to real-time data right in the palms of their hands.

Mobile technology including smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets, combined with the right software makes this possible. This reality can help agency leaders manage their teams more effectively and experience better outcomes.

Discover the 3 reasons mobility solutions are the key to better leadership:

24/7 Access to Data

Whether the local police chief is sitting in his office at the station or two hours away visiting family for the weekend, all data is just a tap of a button away with a mobile CAD application.

With the ability to access CAD data from a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet, mission-critical and real-time data command staff needs to keep the community and officers safe is available at all times. This means command staff can do anything they need to do, anywhere at any time.

Working in law enforcement is unpredictable and, commonly, command staff is contacted outside of what many would consider normal business hours to deal with situations that arise.

Having this on-demand access results in decisions that are based on data and not gut instincts. When all the information command staff needs is accessible in the palm of their hands, it is easier for them to meet expectations and manage incidents.

Chat and Stay Connected Anytime, Anywhere

Connection between command staff and first responders is critical. Mobile apps that offer chat functionality help ensure that all users stay connected in any and all situations.

Chat functionality provides a quick and trustworthy means of communication between officers and command staff. It also prevents sensitive information from coming across the radio.

When mobile apps provide real-time updates and locations, command staff receives the full picture of any given event, allowing them to make the best decisions on how the emergency should be handled.

A serious situation can occur at any time and with this tool, command staff can still efficiently lead their team from afar if needed. Plus, with instant access to real-time information from any location, if a lieutenant is at home for the evening and an emergency happens, he or she can easily connect to all the officers on scene working and follow along as the situation develops.

In addition, agencies utilizing mobile applications that also work with desktop software allows for smartphones or tablets to become interchangeable with desktops and laptops. Command staff who may have to work from home can leverage their technology by plugging their smartphone into their computer and easily access all their data that way.  

Adding to its flexibility, when a phone is undocked, the exact information and place in the application is retained, so the user can take their device with them. This allows an extra level of freedom for someone to move around and not worry where they were in their application.

Communicate Mission-Critical Data Quickly and Efficiently With Alerts

Mobile apps allow command staff and officers to create time-sensitive alerts and add be on the lookout (BOLO) functionality. This helps ensure that all users within an agency are aware of critical information surrounding an alert and provides them with a better opportunity to locate suspects or individuals in need.

This information is provided to all users on or off shift, which helps ensure all command staff and officers are available in critical situations.

For example, if a parent contacts the police because her child didn’t come home from school, the responding officer would meet with the parent in person and collect the necessary information to take a report, and possibly put together an Amber alert.

With the ability to do this on a mobile app, the officer can take notes on his or her smartphone or other mobile device and upload photos of the missing child. The alert would then be sent out with all the critical information including the photo of the missing child. They could show this alert to the concerned parent, right from the living room of the home before they leave.

Mobile apps greatly improve the speed in which agencies can release this detailed information, which helps reach favorable outcomes in what could be dire situations. The more thorough and visual information is, the more likely it is that key details will be remembered.

Find Out What Mobile Apps Can Do For You

When it comes to leading your team, having user-friendly solutions that streamline processes and keep all the main players connected is game-changing. With an ever-changing world and the need to navigate through unexpected events, the easier it is to access data from anywhere, the better.

Command staff can lead their agencies without the weight of unrealistic expectations on their shoulders when utilizing tools that provide them with the data they need at any time. Command staff can also take comfort in knowing the increased capabilities of officers with innovative tools, helping them accomplish any task at hand.

Are you interested in learning more about the role mobile solutions play in keeping officers safe, especially in unpredictable situation like the Covid-19 pandemic?

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