Law enforcement officers have one of the most dynamic, challenging, and dangerous jobs in America. Every day, officers need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, so they can respond to calls effectively and keep themselves and their communities safe.

The more data officers can access in the field—and the quicker they can access it—the better equipped they are to respond to calls in the safest manner possible.

Knowledge is Power

Imagine this: An officer pulls a driver over, exits their vehicle, and approaches the scenario based only on their observations. If the person was speeding and driving recklessly, the officer could infer there is a possibility of impairment. However, without immediate access to data in the field, that’s where their knowledge ends. While officers can call dispatch or connect to the radio to get more context, there’s another, more streamlined option to gather important information.

Mobile law enforcement software enables officers to instantly connect to the NCIC, along with local and regional department databases. From their vehicles, officers have access to all the relevant information they may need to make a situation as safe and efficient as possible. If a report is filed, mobile law enforcement software auto-populates information, allowing the officer to pay more attention to the situation and spend less time in the office after an arrest.

While every officer aims to enter each scenario with the same amount of caution, it can be difficult — and sometimes nearly impossible—to maintain the same sense of urgency for each response. Having a greater understanding of the person they’re about to interact with helps officers better prepare for situations.

Law Enforcement Officer Safety

Law enforcement officers deal with potentially lethal dangers every day. Their goal is to protect the community, but they need to protect themselves as well. Mobile law enforcement software provides officers with access to specifics about particular situations and can help distinguish between routine calls and dangerous confrontations.

House calls are predominantly filled with possible unknowns for an officer. How many people will be in the household? Will there be aggressive animals? Does the suspect have communicable diseases? Is there a risk of needles? Do they have a record of arrests or aggression? What is this person’s history with law enforcement?

It can be challenging to get answers to the relevant questions, but tools with mobile access help an officer gain a quicker understanding of important information, enabling them to respond quicker and more effectively.

Administrative Benefits

The outdated, time-consuming practice of arresting a suspect and returning to the department to book them and complete an incident report takes officers out of the field for longer than they’d like and a lot longer than is best for the community. While reporting is integral to the criminal justice process, maintaining officer presence in the community deters crime, reduces response times, and helps create a positive impression of the department.

The right tools allow officers to complete the required paperwork in the field, enabling them to maintain their presence in the community. Rather than returning to the office each time they need to complete paperwork, officers can park at a busy intersection while writing their report. Their presence may discourage someone from committing an illegal act and can significantly reduce response time if a call comes through.

The bottom line? Data accessibility in the field creates safer communities and improves officer safety.

Empower your officers with additional defenses. Mobile law enforcement software provides officers with more immediate access to data and enables them to complete reports from their squad cars. Accessing and exchanging data from the field can save officers time and the department money and help law enforcement to focus on what’s most important.