Someone asked of me what is the biggest future threat for law enforcement executives on the horizon? There are so many easy answers, vast canned answers but one that is overlooked by all until it comes to roost on your budget’s doorstep is technology. We have become over reliant on it, generations of officers cannot survive a shift without logging in and its financial burdens are hazardous to any department’s financial officer demeanor. How did we get here? How can we plan to manage its challenging demands?
Pencil or Pen
It must be an American mindset. Years ago, our space program spent untold dollars in research in developing an ink pen that could write in space (zero gravity). It was developed and it was a success, the Russians merely used a pencil. We must always have the fastest, newest and nicky-neat widget. Why? We are Americans, that’s why! It’s in our blood and DNA!
The terrorism conspiracy theorists always speak of a total shut down of the grid and bringing our infrastructure to its knees. Believe them or not, but few years ago while working in a post-hurricane recovery I had the opportunity to make these observations. The only electric power was the buildings generator and it was mere essentials only. No need to fire up the workstations, no internet, no Wi-Fi, and so forth. The younger police officers were facing their apocalypse – no connectivity! The reports or records management system (RMS) was down. How do we do reports? How about a paper report and pen, like we used to do back in my day? Of course, this would have to be entered later once the power crisis is over but why not try that ‘old school paper and pen report’?
Without making jest of the matter, it was apparent to me that we in law enforcement have become far to over reliant on technology. It is nearly to the point of the importance of oxygen and water (needed to make coffee). The questions of backup generators, redundant backup of records and connectivity all become important issues. The recommendation for your emergency operations planning and departmental sustainability to weather major events is review these and test their functionally regularly.
Follow the Money
The technology maxim of ‘if you buy it today, it is outdated tomorrow’ is very true. Before any purchase you must perform the diligence of determining the life expectancy of this product before the next ‘new & improved’ version is released. Let’s face the facts, we have all done this and the excitement of a new product rapidly diminishes when reality shows up.
Once a new product is brought into the table of operational equipment there are some items you need to add to your calendar’s tickle sheet.
- Warranty- when does it expire? Check off a month or so before it expires to review if there are some claims to make before it fades away. We have all had a device that has crapped out on us a week after out of warranty. Another point is to explore extra warranty which could be purchased, weigh this out!
- Updates – automatic updates but some systems with updates may have fees attached, review your contract and agreements. This includes software packages as well.
- Licenses/User Licenses – if you have reoccurring costs be sure to add this note to next year’s and subsequent years budgets. If your company charges licenses per user (subscriber) make a note to add this to your new employee costs in future hiring costs. As minimal as it may seem, it all adds up.
- Life expectancy- The debate of how long a workstation or a mobile data terminal should last before replacement is never ending. Make some calls, research and program the replacement of terminals in future budgets, be it line item or capital improvements. You know every station, device will have to be replaced, plan for it now. You want to avoid budget overload in the next budget cycle.
- Heavy Duty or “Police Proof” – Some laptops for regular use may be cheaper than the rugged, heavy duty, Mil-spec version. I always ask is there a ‘police proof’ version? I am not making fun of cops, I know what I can do and this is selecting the right grade/version for the job and environment is important. I have seen some use regular notebooks in heavy, stressful environments and it did not perform as they had hoped. It can be done, address this; why take the risks.
- Synch Much? – Ask the questions if all of your programs will synch-up with each other or at least tolerate each other. When systems do not synch and users are constantly having to make it work, this is lost time and productivity. A US Army aviator once told me that when they crank up their helicopters, all systems start to interact/talk to one another and if they do - they can fly. Once in a while, one system does not work and they have to do boot-up of the bird. He called this – when the bird wakes up stupid. Lost time and production will cost you.
- Service – Most have either an IT person or IT company on call. One thing that is assured you will need them on a holiday weekend, after a storm and it’s their kid’s birthday party. You have to have a back-up service plan for those bad days.
- Training – I can assure you that most of us have no comprehensive idea of what all our electronics can do for us. Rather than bumbling through it, get some real training to maximize the tools it provides you.
- Redundant reliable back up power supply- face it you will lose power sometimes and for how long is the question
- Servers/living on the cloud – This is evolving, some want to own their servers and others what to rent space. How safe, costs and safeguard requirements all come into play. Perform your own research on what your needs and costs are.
No, I am not anti-technology. I will tell you that I am a low-tech guy trapped in a high-tech world. My predictions for technology will create greater demands on the staff, training and budget, all to make it easier. As you read this article, a new widget will be introduced to lessen your work but increase the stress on the budget and infrastructure. No, I am not a hater but a realist in that we need to perform all due diligence in preparing for the next technology purchase and maintain its sustainability for your department.
