Mapping products have become indispensable tools in modern policing. Enhancing the ability to analyze crime patterns, allocating resources efficiently, and engaging with communities are all ways that new mapping capabilities aid police.

Whether realized as a geographic information system (GIS), crime mapping software, or real-time mapping application, the technology is applicable to various roles in an agency.

Streamlining Operations

Without situational awareness, police work is made significantly more difficult and dangerous; however, with mapping capabilities, police are able to make better decisions while in the field, which can be seen through Versaterm’s purpose-built solutions.

Key features in Versaterm’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD), records management system (RMS), and mobile data terminal (MDT) improve response times and decision-making in emergency situations. “Real-time access to location-based data allows officers to understand the context of an incident better and determine the best course of action,” said the chief product officer at Versaterm, Rohan Galloway-Dawkins.¹ The CAD system features real-time mapping, which displays active incidents and officer locations through automated vehicle location and geofencing, helping dispatchers make informed decisions quickly. Versaterm’s CAD and MDT share a common mapping platform that enables collaboration and information sharing. Edits made to the map in an MDT can be propagated to other MDTs, as well as to dispatch. GIS and mapping tools like those integrated into Versaterm’s CAD and MDT are essential for enhancing situational awareness and boosting overall efficiency.

Versaterm’s cloud-based infrastructure streamlines operations, enabling seamless interoperability with Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems and reducing administrative overhead. The solution caters to diverse organizational needs and supports regional collaboration.

With the transition to NG911 systems, the ability to track and respond to emergency situations has vastly improved from using traditional enhanced 911 systems that did not provide accurate, real-time location data. The 911inform platform is compatible with these modern systems.

Developed to address communication gaps in first response, the platform is integrated with GIS technology, offering police real-time data and comprehensive views of incidents. This is done through real-time interactive mapping (displaying live data such as 911 call locations, building layouts, and personnel positions), tactical views (providing three-dimensional exterior visuals), and incident management tools (enabling access to photos, cameras, and event initiation tools). “Communication products like 911inform are a must-have for police officers looking to enhance situational awareness and streamline emergency response no matter the scenario,” said Ivo Allen, chief executive officer at 911inform.²

GIS and mapping tools … are essential for enhancing situational awareness and boosting overall efficiency.

As a solution to improve emergency response efficiency, particularly in school and public spaces, 911inform offers comprehensive command, control, and situational awareness through a seamless, app-free interface. “It helps the police plan out swifter and safer tactical responses, taking the advantage away from the suspect and giving us the best resource to survive and save lives,” said Chief (Ret.) Shannon Torres of the Keyport, New Jersey, Police Department.³ It enables live camera views and threat tracking within a building, while also providing door control and paging capabilities. Emergency information can be broadcast directly over police radio. The 911inform platform ensures that responders and building staff are on the same secure communication channels to ensure real-time coordination.

The platform also ensures full compliance with Kari’s Law, RAY BAUM’s Act, and Alyssa’s Law by integrating push notifications and providing precise location tracking.

Analyzing Crimes

When people think about mapping technology, they often picture how it can aid in emergency situations; however, there are other areas in policing in which these tools provide essential insights.

Looking back into the data gathered within Versaterm’s RMS could enable police to identify and address crime patterns. “The ability to analyze crime data in our RMS has allowed agencies to move from reactive to proactive policing, using insights to identify crime hotspots and allocate resources where they are most needed,” said Galloway-Dawkins. For instance, when browsing an RMS report, officers can visualize crime incidents on a map, allowing them to quickly identify patterns and trends. By interacting with the map, users can filter data by range, crime type, or geographic area to refine their analysis.

Sirchie’s OSCR360 also allows users insight into crimes, but it places a focus on investigation analysis rather than prevention. “It became clear [from a homicide trial] during jury deliberations that traditional photographs did not completely depict the crime scene,” said Don O’Neil, creative media specialist at Sirchie.⁴

OSCR360 consists of two parts: the OSCR360 Capture Kit and the OSCR360 software. The Capture Kit uses a spherical camera and GPS sensor tube to capture imagery in the field. It is controlled by a tablet that allows the user to see images immediately. As the scene is documented, GPS coordinates are captured with 360-degree photos taken. The location data captured with the sensor tube will automatically place pins on the maps window within the accompanying software.

By utilizing the OSCR360 software, investigators can take the jury on a virtual tour of the crime scene. Users can organize and present their digital evidence, including photos, videos, documents, GPS pings, and diagrams. By incorporating all digital evidence into an OSCR360 project, investigators can provide a virtual walkthrough of the scene, connect evidence to where it was discovered, and share additional context to the investigation with judges, juries, attorneys, and other police agencies.

Conclusion

These vital tools for modern policing have made collecting insights, decision-making, and investigations easier and more efficient. As technology continues to evolve, the integration of mapping tools will become increasingly critical to better serve communities.

Notes:

¹Rohan Galloway-Dawkins (chief product officer, Versaterm), email interview, November 15, 2024.

²Ivo Allen (chief executive officer, 911inform), email interview, October 30, 2024.

³Shannon Torres (retired chief of police, Keyport, NJ, Police Department), email interview, October 30, 2024.

⁴Don O’Neil (creative media specialist, Sirchie), email interview, October 30, 2024.

Please cite as

“The Power of Where,” Product Feature, Police Chief 91, no. 12 (December 2024): 56–58.