The modern law enforcement profession is undergoing a shift in how agencies operate. Comprehensive information systems and technology can now provide a foundation for driving the mission of protecting citizens, ensuring officer safety, and serving the community. Part of this shift includes a new wave of technology—the computer mapping geographic information system (GIS)—that supplies law enforcement agencies with a complete platform for operations.

With the growing popularity of consumer mapping products, the law enforcement community is realizing the power of maps by using robust GIS applications to meet strategic, tactical, and administrative goals. The long-term challenge for law enforcement agencies is to invest resources to bring together disparate data sets through a GIS. Agencies must work to manage vast amounts of information while creating a simple, relevant, user-friendly interface for personnel within and across entire organizations.