SmartForce®’s Blog

Evidence for Change: Exploring the Impact of Stop and Contact Data

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Data has become critical in modern-day policing and can no longer be ignored. The title of this blog, “Evidence for Change,” highlights the need for a shift in how we collect, analyze, and share stop-and-contact data. This data consists of information from police-community interactions and can potentially transform policing practices.

The Need for Change

While everyone agrees on the importance of comprehensive data, it is critical to standardize the methods for collecting and interpreting data. Research, such as the study by Pierson et al., demonstrates the challenges and complexities involved. It is difficult to confirm or disprove disparities in traffic stop data due to the lack of a single science-based analysis method. This ambiguity underscores the need for change.

The Power of Data

Data is not just a collection of numbers but rather a story waiting to be told. Stop-and-contact data can uncover patterns and trends that may go unnoticed, answering questions like, “Do traffic stops disproportionately affect specific communities? Are there disparities in outcomes based on race or ethnicity?” However, the true potential of this data can only be realized if it is gathered accurately, comprehensively, and analyzed effectively.

In addition to its community impact, this data can improve officers’ well-being. The types of contacts officers engage in directly impact their mental and physical health. Exposure to high-risk situations and certain types of contact, such as domestic disputes, violent crimes, and overdoses, can lead to officer fatigue and stress. This nuanced data can provide invaluable insights for agencies to tailor their wellness programs to their officers’ needs.

Moreover, the knowledge gained from this data can be utilized to inform officer training programs better. Understanding the situations that officers frequently encounter allows for more targeted training, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to handle these scenarios effectively and safely.

What Leaders Can Do Now

Instead of reacting to state legislation mandating stop-and-contact data collection and reporting, the policing profession must take the lead in adopting standardized data collection and analysis procedures. Transparency is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. Sharing these insights with the community fosters trust and invites public scrutiny, which is essential for accountability. Collecting data is only one piece of the puzzle. It is important for police leaders to understand what the data means as it relates to how they are serving their communities. The day will come when someone outside your agency, whether the media or a community group, will tell their version of a story based on data. Collecting, analyzing, and understanding your agency’s data will ensure you can share the real story with your community and team members.

The Role of Community Dialogue and Earning Trust

Sharing data insights opens the door for a deeper dialogue about policing practices and their impact on the community. It allows for a more nuanced discussion that goes beyond surface-level statistics. This dialogue is crucial for meaningfully interpreting the data and shaping effective policies. In any relationship, open communication and transparency are a must in order to earn trust. This applies to the relationship that exists between police agencies and the communities they serve.

Conclusion

The complexities of stop-and-contact data collection and analysis are undeniable but not insurmountable. By adopting a multi-faceted approach to data collection, ensuring transparency, and engaging the community in dialogue, we can pave the way for better-informed policing practices. The evidence for change is clear; it’s time we act on it.

Authored by Chief Jack Cauley, Castle Rock, Colorado Police Department, in collaboration with the team at SmartForce®.

Note: The Castle Rock Police Department utilizes CitizenContact, a product of SmartForce, to collect, report, and analyze their stop and contact data. This collaboration has been instrumental in enhancing our understanding and application of data-driven approaches in law enforcement. Contact us to learn more.

Empowering Front Line Supervisors and Command Staff with CitizenContact: A Guide to Data-Driven Policing

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Law enforcement agencies are currently navigating an unprecedented workforce crisis. The recruitment and retention issues have escalated to critical levels, creating a ripple effect that impacts everything from community safety to officer morale. In this challenging landscape, understanding your agency’s unique culture and your officers’ day-to-day operations is not just beneficial — it’s essential for survival and growth.
That’s where CitizenContact comes in. Designed to simplify stop-and-contact data collection and analysis, CitizenContact provides a data-driven lens through which front-line supervisors and command staff can gain invaluable insights into their agency’s operations. This information is instrumental in fostering a collaborative relationship between law enforcement and the community, thus addressing the challenges that make recruitment and retention increasingly difficult.
In this blog, we’ll explore how CitizenContact equips front-line supervisors with the tools to lead effectively, make informed decisions, and turn current challenges into opportunities for meaningful change.

The Workforce Crisis: Why Data Matters Now More Than Ever

The current workforce crisis in law enforcement is not merely a challenge; it’s a pressing reality that front-line supervisors must navigate daily. According to the Police Executive Research Forum (2023), Critical Issues in Policing Series: Responding to the Staffing Crisis: Innovations in Recruitment and Retention,

“The challenge is far greater for understaffed departments, which have had to distribute undesirable shifts such as nights, weekends, and holidays among a smaller group of officers. Such assignments can significantly affect officers’ well-being, productivity, and commitment to the department, especially if officers already have mandated overtime and feel stretched thin due to low staffing levels”
Police Executive Research Forum (2023)

In such a climate, the added stress and fatigue can ripple through the department, potentially impacting community interactions and the overall effectiveness of law enforcement initiatives. This situation exacerbates existing challenges, making it even more crucial for supervisors to have actionable insights into their team’s operations and performance.

This is where CitizenContact comes into play as an invaluable asset. Understanding that the role of a supervisor is already multifaceted and demanding, CitizenContact aims to simplify one critical aspect: data collection and analysis. Our platform provides a comprehensive operational picture that is not just a collection of data but a narrative that can help drive informed decision-making.

Streamlining Decision-Making

With features like Advanced Filtering and Analytics Dashboards, CitizenContact allows supervisors to get a granular view of various metrics — be it the types of incidents officers are responding to, the demographics of the stops, or trends in the use of force. In workforce management, such insights are not just beneficial; they are essential.

For instance, by analyzing stop-and-contact data, supervisors can identify patterns that may indicate increased stress levels or fatigue among officers. Are there upticks in certain types of incidents during particular shifts? Is use of force increasing during overtime hours? These are questions that CitizenContact can help answer, providing an opportunity for preemptive action before issues escalate.

Enhancing Resource Allocation

Given the staffing challenges, optimizing resource allocation becomes a linchpin for operational effectiveness. CitizenContact’s analytics can help supervisors understand where their limited resources are most needed and how they can be most effectively utilized. The platform’s Groups and Areas features enable supervisors to dissect data based on customized groupings like shifts, beats, or specialized units, aiding in more targeted resource distribution.

Fostering Officer Well-Being

At the end of the day, the most valuable resource any law enforcement agency has is its people. By leveraging the data-driven insights provided by CitizenContact, supervisors can make more informed operational decisions and contribute to their well-being. Acknowledging the human aspect in the numbers can go a long way in building a culture of trust and accountability, crucial elements in retaining officers during these challenging times.

In summary, the workforce crisis has made the role of data in law enforcement more critical than ever. CitizenContact equips front-line supervisors with the tools they need to navigate this complex landscape, making data less of an abstract concept and more of a practical solution to real-world challenges.

Closing Thoughts

In states where stop-and-contact data collection and reporting are mandated, the administrative burden can be overwhelming for already stretched-thin agencies. CitizenContact alleviates this pressure by making the collection and reporting process compliant, streamlined, and intuitive. This leaves front-line supervisors and command staff free to focus on what truly matters — the insights and actionable data that can drive transformative change in their agencies.

In these challenging times, it’s crucial to have tools that not only meet legislative requirements but also contribute to the larger mission of making the community a safer place. By providing a comprehensive, data-driven overview of daily police activities, CitizenContact enables law enforcement agencies to turn current challenges into opportunities for meaningful improvement within their ranks and in their communities. It’s not just about surviving the workforce crisis; it’s about thriving despite it, leveraging data to forge a path to shared expectations between law enforcement, the community, and elected officials.

To learn more, click HERE to request a demo and visit our website.

Revolutionize Your Agency’s Efficiency: Introducing Groups and Areas in CitizenContact v2.3.0

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

We’re thrilled to bring you exciting news! The upcoming release of CitizenContact v2.3.0 on August 15th marks a significant step in bolstering your agency’s efficiency and enriching your understanding of stop-and-contact data.

We’re introducing Groups and Areas – innovative features specifically tailored to meet the evolving needs of our valued customers.

With Groups, supervisors can now create specific officer groups for an enhanced layer of data analysis. Whether it’s tracking performance metrics or understanding interaction patterns, having a lens into specific assignments has never been easier.

Areas amplifies your geographical insights, allowing you to monitor and analyze contact reports based on distinct work areas. Whether it’s a district, a zone, or a patrol beat, you’ll gain valuable insights into your community interactions and be able to tailor your strategies to meet community needs effectively.

CitizenContact v2.3.0 is more than an upgrade. It’s a powerful tool designed to facilitate informed decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and ultimately enhance your agency’s commitment to 21st-century policing principles.

Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into these exciting new features as we approach the release date. Together, we’re transforming the future of law enforcement, one contact at a time.

Learn more about CitizenContact HERE and Request a free demo!

Understanding the Challenges: An In-Depth Look at Police Stop-and-Contact Data Collection

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Within the complex world of contemporary law enforcement, data has emerged as a crucial thread. Law enforcement agencies across the United States increasingly recognize the value of comprehensive, accurate data collection and reporting, particularly in police stop-and-contact incidents. But while the importance of such data is evident, the pathway to obtaining it is often fraught with challenges. In this first installment of our blog series “Bridging the Gap: Data-Driven Policing and Community Trust”, we explore the complexities of stop-and-contact data collection and present CitizenContact as an innovative solution to these challenges.

The Role of Stop-and-Contact Data in Policing

Data is an invaluable asset in today’s world. Its potential to impact our decisions, behaviors, and understandings is limitless, particularly in sectors as critical as law enforcement. With the rapid advancement of technology, police departments can now collect, store, and analyze vast amounts of data. Stop-and-contact data is among the most valuable datasets, which directly looks into everyday police-public interactions.

Police stop-and-contact data refers to information collected during any interaction between law enforcement officers and citizens, including traffic stops, pedestrian stops, and calls-for-service. The data typically includes details about the reason for the stop, the actions taken, the outcome, and the individuals’ perceived demographic characteristics.

This data holds the key to many transformative possibilities for policing. Firstly, it can reveal crucial patterns and trends. Do traffic stops disproportionately impact specific communities? Are there disparities in outcomes based on race or ethnicity? Answers to these questions can help law enforcement agencies identify potential areas of bias and rectify them proactively.

Furthermore, analyzing this data can also help with resource allocation and policy development. By understanding where and when most stops occur, police departments can make informed decisions about where to assign officers and at what times and even guide training and officer wellness programs.

However, the power of stop-and-contact data can only be unlocked by law enforcement agencies if collected accurately, completely, and effectively analyzed. This is where the challenges begin to surface. Collecting such granular data across various jurisdictions with unique policies and procedures is a monumental task.

Let’s delve deeper into these challenges, highlighted in a study by Pierson et al. (2020).

The Challenges in Stop-and-Contact Data Collection

Accurate and comprehensive stop-and-contact data collection is paramount, yet it’s complicated and often riddled with obstacles. These complexities are highlighted in the study, “A large-scale analysis of racial disparities in police stops across the United States,” by Pierson et al. (2020). Their methodology was intricate, pulling data from multiple sources, including the Police–Public Contact Survey (PPCS), periodic reports on traffic stops from local and state agencies, and data gathered from open-source records requests. Pierson et al. collected data on approximately 221 million stops and utilized over 94 million as their primary dataset.

Pierson et al. paints a vivid picture — raw numbers of stops across different racial and ethnic groups, while significant, do not provide concrete evidence of racially disparate treatment alone. Researchers utilized a three-pronged approach to test for racial disparities.

Veil of Darkness Test: a method that compares daytime and nighttime stops to mitigate the effect of racial visibility, allows for an objective assessment of race’s role in stop decisions. However, its effectiveness is constrained by the assumption that officer behavior remains constant throughout the day and night, an assumption that may not always hold true.

Outcomes Test: A method that measures the post-stop outcomes helps us understand if disparate treatment exists after the stop. But this test is contingent upon the officer’s discretion and judgment, making it sensitive to the biases inherent in that process.

Hit Rate Test: An analysis of the rate at which contraband is found following a stop, provides a performance metric of police activity. While insightful, this test often overlooks the complexity of police decisions and can be influenced by many factors, such as different policing strategies in different neighborhoods.

While each bears inherent strengths and limitations, these tests work together to form a more complete picture. Their collective insights emphasize the crucial role of nuanced, comprehensive stop-and-contact data collection in understanding and addressing potential racial disparities in policing.

You can find further details on the study’s methods here and on the Stanford Open Policing Project website.

The research by Pierson et al. identified three core challenges in collecting and analyzing stop data:

The decentralized nature of policing in the United States: The independent operation of law enforcement across numerous U.S. jurisdictions leads to a substantial lack of data collection and reporting standardization. Due to this decentralization, the researchers encountered considerable obstacles in analyzing data from various sources. The distinct policies and procedures each agency uses for data collection resulted in disparities in the data’s types, formats, and thoroughness.

Lack of transparency from police departments: Some law enforcement agencies were reluctant to release their data, which hindered large-scale, cross-jurisdictional analyses of traffic stops. Despite leveraging the PPCS and open-source records requests, the team couldn’t access all the needed data.

Incomplete or inaccurate data: Encountering data that was either incomplete or contained inaccuracies complicated their analysis further. Such gaps, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies make drawing precise and reliable conclusions about police-public interactions challenging.

These challenges underline the complexities of stop-and-contact data collection and the necessity for a robust, standardized, and transparent approach. They emphasize the importance of ensuring data accuracy and completeness to yield actionable insights to facilitate improved policing practices and enhance community trust.

Key Recommendations from Pierson et al. Study

Pierson et al. (2020) exposed the challenges inherent in collecting stop-and-contact data and provided valuable recommendations to mitigate these issues and improve the accuracy and usefulness of this data. The following suggestions emerged from their extensive research:

Standardization of Data Collection Procedures: law enforcement agencies nationwide are encouraged to adopt uniform procedures for collecting data on traffic stops and other forms of police-public contacts. Such standardization ensures the ease of data collection, enhances accuracy, and offers a more comprehensive depiction of these interactions.

Accessibility of Data: A push for greater transparency necessitates that law enforcement agencies make data on traffic stops and other police-public contacts readily accessible to the public. Accessibility empowers researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders to scrutinize the data, fostering the identification of discriminatory patterns and ensuring accountability.

Collection of More Demographic Data: To comprehensively understand the effects of policing on various communities, law enforcement agencies should collect an expanded range of demographic data on individuals involved in police stops. This added layer of detail can provide invaluable insights into the experiences of different racial and ethnic groups, spotlighting any areas of concern.

Data-Driven Policy Decisions: law enforcement agencies should leverage the insights from traffic stop data and other police-public contact data to inform their policy decisions. This data-driven approach will help ensure that policing practices are fair, equitable, and responsive to the needs and experiences of all community members.

These recommendations by Pierson et al. serve as a road map for how law enforcement agencies can improve their data collection, analysis, and transparency practices, thereby advancing modern policing principles. They underscore the pivotal role of comprehensive op-and-contact data in fostering equitable policing and community trust.

Introducing CitizenContact: A Comprehensive Solution

Here is where CitizenContact steps in. Born out of a deep understanding of these challenges, CitizenContact provides a comprehensive solution for stop-and-contact data collection, reporting, and analysis. Designed for law enforcement agencies of all sizes, CitizenContact simplifies the process of data collection and validation, streamlines reporting, and provides insightful analytics.

CitizenContact addresses the issues of data decentralization by offering a unified database for stop-and-contact data, enabling law enforcement agencies to maintain clean and accurate records. Our tool encourages transparency by making data collection and reporting a seamless process, making it easier for departments to share data when required.

In terms of data quality, CitizenContact’s intelligent contact report form and validation features ensure the collection of complete and accurate data, helping police departments shift from mere compliance in states required to collect stop-and-contact data to actionable insights, using data to guide operational decisions, resource allocation, and community engagement strategies.

In the face of the challenges outlined by Pierson et al., CitizenContact emerges as a powerful tool that facilitates data collection and analysis and contributes to the broader goals of 21st-century policing: building safer and more interconnected communities.

Subscribe to and stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll delve deeper into the features of CitizenContact and how they address the challenges of stop-and-contact data collection and reporting.

Click here to learn more about CitizenContact.

Utilizing KPIs to Measure the Effectiveness of Stop-and-Contact Data Policies in Law Enforcement

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Law enforcement agencies continuously seek ways to improve their practices and strengthen trust with the community. One innovative approach is to apply the concept of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of stop-and-contact data policies. While KPIs are widely used in business to monitor performance, they have yet to be traditionally utilized in law enforcement. This blog will discuss how law enforcement agencies can leverage KPIs to evaluate their stop-and-contact policies and ultimately enhance their overall performance.

Understanding KPIs

A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a measurable value used to evaluate how effectively an organization is achieving its key objectives. KPIs are often used in various industries, including marketing, finance, and operations, to help organizations identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. By adapting KPIs to law enforcement settings, agencies can effectively measure their performance and make data-driven decisions to optimize stop-and-contact policies.

Implementing KPIs in Law Enforcement

Below are ten KPIs that law enforcement agencies can use to assess the effectiveness of their stop-and-contact policies and identify areas for improvement:

Number of stops and contacts: Monitor the overall number of stops and contacts made by officers to assess the frequency and effectiveness of these interactions.

Demographic breakdown of stops and contacts: Analyze the demographic data of individuals stopped or contacted to identify potential disparities or biases in police practices.

Reasonable suspicion/probable cause accuracy: Measure the percentage of stops and contacts based on reasonable suspicion or probable cause and resulted in actionable outcomes (e.g., arrests, citations, or searches). This can help evaluate the accuracy of officers’ judgments in initiating stops and contacts.

Officer compliance rate: Track the percentage of stops and contacts conducted in accordance with department policy and guidelines, reflecting officer adherence to established protocols.

Use of force incidents during stops and contacts: Monitor the number and proportion of stops and contacts that involve the use of force to ensure that force is being used appropriately and within department guidelines.

De-escalation techniques and outcomes: Assess the frequency and effectiveness of de-escalation techniques used during stops and contacts, their impact on reducing conflict, and the need for force.

Community satisfaction and trust: Measure community satisfaction with police interactions and overall trust in the police department through surveys, feedback forums, and other engagement initiatives.

Officer training completion rates: Monitor the percentage of officers who have completed the required training on the stop-and-contact policy, as well as any additional training on legal and ethical principles, cultural competency, and effective communication skills.

Complaints and misconduct incidents: Track the number of complaints and misconduct incidents related to stops and contacts in these cases to gauge accountability and transparency within the department.

Collaborative partnerships: Measure the number of partnerships with external organizations, such as social service agencies and community groups, to assess the extent of collaboration in addressing the root causes of crime and developing holistic solutions.

These KPIs can provide valuable insights into various aspects of police performance, from officer adherence to policy guidelines to the impact of stops and contacts on community trust. By regularly monitoring and analyzing these indicators, law enforcement agencies can support the continuous refinement of their policies and ensure alignment with 21st-century policing principles.

Adopting KPIs in law enforcement settings represents a significant opportunity for agencies to enhance their stop-and-contact policies and strengthen community relations. By utilizing these performance indicators, police command staff can make data-driven decisions to improve practices, increase transparency, and foster trust with the public. As law enforcement agencies evolve and adapt to the changing landscape, incorporating KPIs into performance management will be essential in advancing 21st-century policing principles.

Implementing a Stop and Contact Policy Based on 21st-Century-Policing

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Strengthening Police-Community Relations Through Data-Driven Stop and Contact Practices

As law enforcement agencies strive to adapt to 21st-century policing principles, it’s important to develop and implement stop-and-contact policies that foster trust and transparency. By incorporating these principles and utilizing contact data effectively, police departments can improve their policing practices and strengthen police-community relationships. This blog post will outline the steps for implementing a stop-and-contact policy that includes modern policing values and leverages data collection for continuous improvement.

Establish Clear Guidelines for Stops and Contacts

Develop objective criteria and guidelines for initiating stops and contacts based on factors such as reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Avoid subjective factors like appearance or race to ensure impartial treatment for all community members. Clear guidelines also promote consistency and professionalism among officers.

Integrate 21st-Century Policing Principles

Incorporate key principles, such as community policing, procedural justice, and bias-free policing, into the stop-and-contact policy. The policy will align with modern expectations for effective law enforcement by emphasizing fairness, transparency, and community engagement.

Provide Comprehensive Agency Training

Provide officers with thorough training on the stop-and-contact policy, legal and ethical principles, cultural understanding, and effective communication skills. Well-trained officers are better equipped to conduct stops and contacts fairly and professionally, promoting greater public trust.

Implement Data Collection and Analysis

Invest in technology and software solutions to facilitate data collection and analysis on stops and contacts. Train officers on proper documentation practices to ensure accurate and comprehensive data. Regularly review and analyze the data to identify trends, disparities, and opportunities for improvement in policing practices. CitizenContact can help you implement stop-and-contact data collection, reporting, and analysis.

Engage the Community

Actively involve community members and stakeholders in developing and implementing the stop-and-contact policy. Solicit input, participate in community forums, and work with local organizations to address concerns and promote a shared understanding of the policy’s objectives and benefits.

Ensure Accountability and Transparency

Regularly review and update the stop and contact policy to maintain effectiveness and relevance. Evaluate officer compliance and address instances of misconduct promptly. Share information about the policy, including contact data, with the public and stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to transparency and accountability.

Collaborate with External Partners

Partner with social service agencies, mental health professionals, and other community organizations to address the root causes of crime and develop solutions. This collaborative approach supports the broader goals of 21st-century policing and promotes long-term crime reduction and community well-being.

Measure Performance and Outcomes:

Continuously evaluate the policy’s effectiveness by collecting and analyzing data on crime rates, community satisfaction, and officer performance. Use this information to refine and improve the policy and related strategies over time, ensuring that the police department remains responsive to community needs and expectations.

Implementing a stop-and-contact policy based on 21st-century policing principles is critical in promoting public trust and strengthening police-community relationships. By focusing on clear guidelines, comprehensive training, data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and accountability, law enforcement agencies can foster a fair and effective policing environment that benefits both officers and the community.

Click here to request a copy of an example stop-and-contact policy based on 21st-century policing principles.

Streamlining Law Enforcement Communication with SmartForce for 21st-Century Policing

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Unlock the Power of 21st-Century Policing with SmartForce:

Law enforcement agencies face numerous challenges in the digital age, including effective communication, data-driven decision-making, and strong community relationships. SmartForce, a state-of-the-art platform built on the principles of 21st Century Policing, offers a comprehensive solution that revolutionizes law enforcement communication, enhances decision-making, and fosters trust within communities. In this blog, we’ll explore the transformative features of SmartForce and how they can empower your agency to excel in the 21st century.

Real-time Communication and Collaboration:

SmartForce provides instant communication and information sharing, enabling seamless connections between crime analysis, command staff, patrol, and specialty units. With automated workflows and data-driven insights, SmartForce helps deploy resources strategically based on real-time data. The platform offers a collaborative space for analysts, command staff, front-line supervisors, specialty units, and patrol to work together on policing projects, streamlining communication and increasing awareness. SmartForce eliminates the need for a disjointed combination of email, spreadsheets, and disparate report systems, leading to better organization and deconfliction.

Anytime, Anywhere Access:

In our connected world, remote and mobile connectivity is essential. SmartForce ensures easy access to critical data, allowing agency-wide synchronization and empowering officers to operate effectively.

Enhanced Decision-Making and Performance:

SmartForce delivers valuable insights for informed decisions, improving performance at every level. By empowering law enforcement agencies with data-driven strategies, SmartForce contributes to more efficient policing.

Community Engagement and Trust-Building:

The platform supports community policing initiatives, fostering trust and collaboration with the public. SmartForce helps build stronger ties between law enforcement agencies and their communities through transparency and accountability.

Robust Security:

In an era of increasing cyber threats, law enforcement agencies must be confident that their data is secure. SmartForce’s CJIS Compliant solution protects your agency’s data from potential risks, giving you peace of mind.

Success Story: Carlsbad, NM Police Department

The Carlsbad Police Department’s experience highlights the transformative power of SmartForce. By leveraging the Shift Briefing feature, officers could quickly share information about a suspicious vehicle reported by a citizen. Two months later, an officer spotted the vehicle, verified the information using SmartForce, and arrested the suspect, who confessed to seven burglaries. The platform’s capabilities fostered collaboration, increased visibility, and streamlined information sharing, leading to the resolution of the cases.

Carlsbad Police Chief Shane Skinner noted, “Officers love the search engine. It is much better than email and makes searching for intel fast and easy.”

By aligning with the principles of 21st Century Policing, SmartForce enhances collaboration, increases transparency, optimizes resources, and fosters stronger community relations, positioning your law enforcement agency for success in the digital age.

Keep outdated communication methods from holding your agency back. Experience the benefits of SmartForce firsthand and schedule a demo today. Embrace the future of law enforcement communication and empower your team with the tools they need to serve and protect your community.

How CitizenContact Empowers Law Enforcement Agencies to Make Informed Decisions

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Harness the Power of Stop and Contact Data to Drive Strategic Decision-Making for Law Enforcement Executives

For Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and Command Staff, making informed decisions about officer allocation, resource deployment, and policing strategies is crucial to the success of your department. One essential tool that can help you make data-driven decisions is using stop and contact data effectively. This blog will explore how CitizenContact can empower your law enforcement agency to make informed decisions that enhance community policing and improve public safety.

CitizenContact: A Game-Changer for Law Enforcement Decision-Making

CitizenContact is a powerful tool designed specifically for law enforcement executives like you. By harnessing the power of stop and contact data, CitizenContact provides insights that can help you make better-informed decisions about officer allocation, resource deployment, and policing strategies. Here’s how CitizenContact empowers law enforcement agencies to make informed decisions:

Identifying Hot Spots and Problem Locations: CitizenContact enables you to analyze stop and contact data to pinpoint areas with higher police-public interactions. Combined with crime data and calls for service, this information helps you allocate resources and officers more strategically, focusing on areas with the most significant needs.
Informing Problem-Oriented Policing: With CitizenContact, you can dive deeper into the reasons for stops, outcomes of interactions, and demographics of the individuals involved, gaining insights into the underlying problems contributing to crime and disorder. This information helps you develop problem-oriented policing strategies to address these issues.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Policing Strategies: CitizenContact allows you to monitor changes in the frequency, nature, and outcomes of police-public interactions, helping you assess the effectiveness of your department’s policing strategies. This information enables you to adjust strategies and resource allocation as needed.
Enhancing Community Engagement and Trust: Regularly collecting and analyzing stop and contact data with CitizenContact can improve transparency and accountability within your law enforcement agency. Sharing this information with the public and engaging in open dialogue about police-public interactions helps build trust and fosters productive partnerships with community members and organizations.
Addressing Disparities and Biases: CitizenContact helps you identify and address potential racial, ethnic, or other biases in your department’s interactions with the public. By analyzing this data and taking corrective actions, you can work to ensure that your policing practices are fair and equitable for all community members.
Influencing Training and Professional Development: CitizenContact enables you to identify areas where officers may require additional training or support. This information can inform the development of training programs and professional development opportunities, ultimately leading to more effective and responsive policing.

Unlock the Full Potential of Stop and Contact Data with CitizenContact

Integrating CitizenContact into your law enforcement agency’s decision-making processes allows you to leverage stop and contact data to make informed decisions that improve officer allocation, resource deployment, and policing strategies.

Don’t miss the opportunity to revolutionize your community policing efforts and enhance public safety. Click the link below to schedule a free demo and discover how CitizenContact can empower your law enforcement agency to make informed decisions while staying at the forefront of modern policing practices.

Request a demo of CitizenContact today!

Using Stop and Contact Data to Enhance Community Policing

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Empowering Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and Command Staff to Strengthen the Bond Between Law Enforcement and the Communities They Serve

Community policing has become an essential aspect of modern law enforcement. As Police Chiefs, Sheriffs and Command staff, you are constantly striving to find ways to build trust, enhance communication, and foster positive relationships with the communities you serve. One powerful tool to help you achieve these goals is the effective use of stop and contact data. This blog will explore the benefits of leveraging this data and provide actionable steps to improve community policing.

Understanding Stop and Contact Data:

Stop and contact data refers to the information collected during law enforcement interactions with community members, such as traffic stops, pedestrian stops, and field interviews. This data includes demographic information, reasons for the stop, and outcomes. By systematically collecting and analyzing this data, you can identify patterns and trends, providing valuable insights to guide your community policing strategies.

Identifying Disparities and Biases:

Analyzing stop and contact data can reveal disparities in how different community members are treated by law enforcement. Identifying these disparities is the first step towards addressing them and ensuring fair policing practices. Regularly monitoring the data enables you to track progress and make adjustments as needed, demonstrating your commitment to equitable policing.

Enhancing Transparency and Accountability:

Sharing stop and contact data with the public is a powerful way to demonstrate transparency and foster trust. Engaging in open dialogue about this data, and the actions taken to address any disparities can strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community. By being proactive and transparent, you can build credibility and show that your department is dedicated to serving and protecting all community members.

Implementing Data-Driven Training Programs:

Using stop and contact data to inform officer training programs can lead to more effective and responsive policing. Data-driven training helps officers understand the impact of their actions on community relations and equips them with the knowledge and skills to engage with community members more positively. This can lead to fewer negative interactions and an overall increase in public trust.

Leveraging Community Feedback and Partnership:

In addition to analyzing stop and contact data, soliciting community feedback is crucial to understanding the lived experiences of community members. Regularly engaging with community members through forums, surveys, and other channels can provide invaluable insights into their perceptions of law enforcement. This feedback can inform your department’s practices and policies, leading to more successful community policing.

As Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and Command staff, you have the opportunity to utilize stop and contact data to enhance your community policing efforts. By understanding the data, addressing disparities, promoting transparency, implementing data-driven training, and engaging in community partnerships, you can foster stronger relationships and trust between law enforcement and the communities you serve.

Unlock the Power of Stop and Contact Data with CitizenContact for 21st Century Policing:

Embrace the future of law enforcement by integrating CitizenContact into your 21st century policing strategies. This cutting-edge software solution is specifically designed to help Police Chiefs and Command staff like you make data-driven decisions, create impactful change, and meet the evolving needs of today’s communities.

By utilizing CitizenContact, you’ll be better equipped to understand stop and contact data, address disparities, promote transparency, implement data-driven training, and engage in community partnerships. These key elements are crucial to fostering stronger relationships and trust between law enforcement and the communities you serve in the 21st century.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to revolutionize your community policing efforts! Click the link below to schedule a free demo and discover how CitizenContact can help you strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the communities you serve, while staying at the forefront of modern policing practices.

Schedule Your Free CitizenContact Demo for 21st Century Policing Now!

CitizenContact v1.6

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

As the Colorado DCJ prepares to release final contact and use of force reporting data requirements, the team at CitizenContact by SmartForce® has been working on the latest release.

CitizenContact v1.6 has a couple of significant improvements that will save Officers time when reporting a contact. The notable improvements are:

Auto Complete List Choices

Auto complete allows the user to begin typing the list choice they are looking for (eg. Assault). Auto complete searches by content, so as the user starts to type “Assault”, CitizenContact will identify all choices in the list that match the spelling, starting at the first three letters the user starts typing. List options that allow multi-select will still be allowed using autocomplete in v1.6.

People Picker to choose officers involved in incidents and auto-population of Officer information

When adding an Officer to a use of force incident, start typing the name of the Officer. After the first 3 letters of the name are typed, a people picker will appear with the closest matches based on the first 3 letters that were typed. The People Picker only searches by name, not by email.

As the user/Officer continues to type the name of the officer being added to the incident, the name match in the People Picker will narrow the names to choose from.

Once the user picks the Officer from the People Picker, the name, POST number, race and ethnicity, gender, age, height, weight, years of service, and full or part-time employee indicators are auto-populated using the data from the Officer’s user profile in CitizenContact.

Thank you for everything you do to ensure the safety of your community.