SmartForce®’s Blog – Page 2 – The Platform for Innovative Policing

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.

How to Report Contacts and Use of Force in Complex Scenarios in CitizenContact

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

Have you ever been part of an incident involving multiple officers, multiple locations and multiple uses of force? While not frequent, it happens. Using a robbery as a scenario we share what you need to know from a data collection requirement (State and Federal), who reports it and how contacts and use of force are reported in CitizenContact.

In the scenario below, Officers will be required to report the following:

Multiple contacts at four locations
Use of force at three locations
Unannounced entry at one location
A show-up (eyewitness identification) at two locations
Search and seizure of property at one location

Let’s dive into the robbery scenario.

One Officer at each location will complete the contact and use of force report for a total of four reports. Reports are completed in this manner based on the data structure published by Colorado DCJ and the detailed data structure required by FBI use of force reporting.

Scenario

Officers respond to the report of a robbery at a convenience store.

Three Officers are dispatched to the convenience store. The two suspects fled the scene in a vehicle driven by a third suspect.

Officer 1 locates the suspect vehicle while en route to the call. Officer 2 responds to assist.

Officers 1 and 2 follow the Citizen’s vehicle, and the vehicle crashes.

The three citizens run from the vehicle on foot in different directions.
Officer 4 arrives at the vehicle crash.

Officer 1 and Officer 4 chase Citizen 1 on foot and catch him a few hundred yards away.

Officer 1 uses a taser.

Officer 4 uses a baton on the same citizen and arrests him.

Officer 4 reports the contact for Citizen 1, including use of force. In this instance, the data would be state reportable only. The data would not be FBI reportable because:

There was no serious physical injury or death
There was no discharge of a firearm at or in the direction of the citizen

Officer 2 waits with the crashed vehicle. He contacts a witness who can identify the three suspects.

Officer 2 reports contact with Citizen 4, which includes reporting of a show-up (eyewitness identification) as required by the State.

Citizen 2 runs to a local school and hides on campus. Citizen 5 calls the police when they see Citizen 2 run to the school and hide. Three Officers respond to the school and locate the citizen.

Citizen 2 brandishes a firearm at the three Officers.

Two Officers discharge their firearms at Citizen 2, who is now deceased.

Officer 6 reports contact with Citizen 5, including a show-up (eyewitness identification).

Officer 5 reports contact with Citizen 2, including the use of force report for this location. In this instance, the data would be state and FBI reportable.

Citizen 3 runs to the home of Citizen 6. Citizen 6 hides Citizen 3 in the house.

Police K-9 tracks Citizen 3 to the house.

Citizen 6 allows the officers to search the house unannounced and they locate Citizen 3.

Two officers use force and arrest Citizen 3. Citizen 6 is arrested for Obstructing.

Officer 11 reports contact with Citizen 6 and Citizen 3, including the use of force report for this location. In this instance, the use of force would be state reportable only.

CitizenContact meets mandatory reporting requirements for the State of Colorado and FBI use of force. Utilizing a complex scenario sets the stage for how the report is completed and by who.

To see a demo and get started for free contact us at info@smartforcetech.com

Data Dictionary Available for Colorado Senate Bill 217 Solution

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

The deadline for law enforcement agencies in Colorado to collect and submit required contact, use of force, and complaint data, is April 1, 2022.

The framework for what data should be collected is laid out under Colorado SB 217, HB1250, HB 1142, and FBI use of force reporting requirements

Data elements provided by the Colorado Department of Criminal Justice were compared to the detailed use of force data collection requirements provided by the FBI.

As a result, we created a JSON data dictionary and export example for your agency to reference HERE.

SmartForce®, headquartered in Colorado, is offering its latest application, CitizenContact for free to Colorado law enforcement organizations to meet regulatory compliance related to SB 217, HB 1250, HB 1142, and FBI use of force reporting.

To see a demo and get started for free contact us at info@smartforcetech.com

My Reports and Agency Reports redesigned + Officer Card by SmartForce®

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

On Monday 02/21/22 we released v1.1 of CitizenContact.

Here’s what’s new:

Officer Card by SmartForce®
Share your digital business card.
You can share this QR code as many times as you want.
It does not expire.

My Reports and Agency Reports
We completely redesigned both sections.
Now, you can see the full submitted report.

Check out the revised CitizenContact officer/owner guides for more information.

CitizenContact | Offline Reporting

The SmartForce® Team
SmartForce Technologies Inc.

You start working, log in to CitizenContact, keep up with your squad, and start your shift. Later you stop a vehicle but your device is offline. You told us about this problem and we addressed it. That’s why we developed Offline Reporting. Now, even with no internet connection, the app starts working offline. So, all the contact reports will be saved locally. After your connection is restored, you can submit them.

Create Contact Report

Later, submit it

Sound simple and it is.

Visit citizencontact.app

If you want to learn more, check this out