Law enforcement is turning to new technological solutions to help police in the field

It’s no secret — there are still high tensions between law enforcement and some communities, with repeated calls from activists who feel police are too quick to use violence. But a new survey shows those opinions don’t represent most of America, and now more and more police departments are embracing mobile technology, which could help bridge the gap — and make the job easier for cops in the field.

The survey — by public safety-focused software company Mark 43 — shows a majority of Americans support blue. 72 percent of respondents say they disapprove of the “defund the police” agenda and actually want the police to have more resources. This is where technology comes in. Mark43 and other companies are focusing on new technology tools that make policing easier. Matt Polega, founder of Mark 43, says it’s a win-win for police “using all the mobile technology they have to stay in the field and get information quickly.”

And that flow of information is now being managed by mobile apps designed to keep police in the field in many cities. One program is a dispatch tool that gives police a better understanding of what they’re getting into when responding to a potentially dangerous call. Information about the situation is immediately sent to an officer’s cell phone, ensuring they don’t go blind. According to Polega, “They could know exactly where they were going to end up, they could see the path they were going to take,” and then they could get a little preview of what kind of situation they were going through. meeting with.”

But the company’s comments exposed a stark contrast between what most people see on the street and what law enforcement officers do. It is not uncommon to see policemen on their phones, often engaged in work-related applications. But 32 percent of Americans say they don’t understand that police officers use their phones for work, from entering information to sending messages. “In reality, many of the police officers are spending a lot of time communicating with other police officers, getting important information from headquarters,” Polega said. And that disparity is creating huge misunderstandings and mistrust between the police and the people they serve.

Finally, most police departments say they expect the technology in the field to expand in the coming years with apps developed by Mark43. And by 2023, law enforcement agencies around the world are expected to spend $18 billion on new technology. The hope is that new technology will lead to improved policing, and hopefully more trust in law enforcement. And Polega says it’s already making a big impact, “We’ve seen a 50 percent reduction in arrest times, an 80 percent reduction in crime reporting times, and that ensures the police are on the ground.” They are doing their community and the work they signed up for instead of paperwork.