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As crime rates climb and staffing shortages intensify—only 8% of law enforcement agencies are fully staffed—technology is emerging as the most powerful ally for public safety. Forward-thinking departments are leveraging cutting-edge tools to bridge the gap, which is driving a surge in tech adoption. Recent research reveals strong interest in innovations like automated data extraction (63%), advanced license plate recognition (48%), and seamless cross-agency information sharing (40%)—transforming the way agencies protect and serve their communities.
As law enforcement agencies navigate their most pressing challenges, staffing and recruitment remain their top priority, with 67% of departments ranking it among their top three concerns and 48% identifying it as their most critical issue. While technology adoption ranks as the second highest priority—with 33% of agencies placing it in their top three—departments are increasingly recognizing its potential as a force multiplier to address multiple challenges, from operational efficiency to community engagement.
According to a 2024 Thomson Reuters Report, the top five issues facing law enforcement are:
As departments balance these challenges with the need for operational efficiency, we outline six key predictions for 2024, highlighting specific examples and actionable insights for law enforcement organizations.
Artificial intelligence is becoming essential for law enforcement operations, with 85% of agencies considering AI critical or very important to their future, according to a 2024 global survey. As departments integrate pattern recognition, image analysis, and machine learning capabilities into existing systems—from computer-aided dispatch to investigative tools—they face the challenge of managing unstructured data across disconnected platforms. As we explored in our recent analysis of responsible AI deployment in public safety, successful implementation requires balancing innovation with ethical considerations.
Law enforcement's journey with AI illustrates significant technological advancement in daily operations. Axon's Draft One technology demonstrates AI's potential by converting body-worn camera footage into high-quality police reports within five minutes of an incident ending, performing equal to or better than traditional reports in completeness and objectivity.
Similarly, startup Abel's automated report writing software processes body camera footage and dispatch data to generate comprehensive reports, potentially increasing available patrol time by 50%. These AI-powered documentation tools are showing measurable success, with officers saving an hour or more per shift—allowing them to spend less time on paperwork and more time serving their communities.
Success in 2025 will depend on balancing technological capabilities with transparent oversight and measurable community outcomes. As agencies continue to explore AI applications, the focus must remain on proven effectiveness and building public trust.
The impact of siloed law enforcement data is immediate: a detective investigating burglaries in one jurisdiction might be unaware of the suspect's active warrant in a neighboring town. With investigations now consuming the majority of officers' time—89% of law enforcement professionals in 2023 reported investigations as their primary task, up from 37% in 2019—the ability to quickly access cross-jurisdictional data has become critical.
Law enforcement has evolved from wanted posters to today's sophisticated digital solutions. The Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC) exemplifies this evolution, serving as a vital hub for criminal justice agencies across the state. Operating under the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, CCIC enables rapid interoperability of validated information between law enforcement, courts, and corrections agencies while providing access to national databases like NCIC. When agencies implement data sharing through systems like CCIC, they can deconflict investigations and respond more effectively to crime. While fusion centers nationwide aim for interagency data sharing, many struggle with interoperability due to outdated manual processes.
At ForceMetrics, we're addressing this need head-on with our newly released cross-agency search capability, enabling officers to instantly achieve seamless data sharing across neighboring jurisdictions while maintaining strict privacy controls.
While ransomware attacks on government organizations dropped 51% in 2024, the average cost of recovery more than doubled to $2.83 million, up from $1.21 million in 2023. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) continues to identify law enforcement agencies as critical infrastructure targets, with attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated—99% of affected agencies reported attempted backup compromises.
Recent high-profile attacks underscore these threats:
As former cybersecurity professionals, we understand the critical importance of proactive protection. The FBI recommends several essential safeguards, including regular system backups, robust access controls, and comprehensive incident response plans. While increased cybersecurity investment and support from federal agencies like CISA are showing results, maintaining this progress requires continued vigilance and resources.
The impact of understaffing is severe: 65% of agencies have reduced services or specialized units, and departments are increasingly turning to technology to bridge these gaps. Research shows that agencies with moderate staffing shortages (6-15%) are most likely to prioritize technology adoption, viewing it as a critical force multiplier.
Key solutions include:
As one police chief noted in a recent survey, "You could do a lot of those functions using technology that would make you more efficient and effective." With 68% of officers more concerned about on-duty safety and 60% reporting inadequate time for training due to short staffing, these tools are becoming essential rather than optional for modern law enforcement agencies.
Public-private partnerships are evolving beyond traditional collaborations to create more transparent, community-focused public safety solutions. Companies like Prepared911 are streamlining emergency communication between citizens and law enforcement, while ZenCity's analytics tools help departments understand and respond to community sentiment. These partnerships are advancing rapidly, introducing innovations like crowdsourced surveillance programs that enable public submission of evidence for investigations.
The focus extends to fostering community trust through enhanced transparency and accountability. Advanced body cameras and public interaction analytics are becoming standard tools, enabling departments to better understand and improve their community interactions. As these partnerships mature, they're creating a more collaborative approach to public safety—one where technology serves both operational efficiency and community engagement goals.
Mental health calls are consuming an increasing share of police resources, with research showing that 20% of service calls involve mental health or substance use crises. With 84% of senior law enforcement officials reporting increases in these calls, agencies are adopting specialized tools to enable more appropriate responses while reducing reliance on traditional police intervention.
Agencies are implementing multi-layered technological solutions to address this challenge:
These technologies are transforming crisis response, creating more effective outcomes for both the community and the officers who serve them. As mental health calls continue to rise, these tools will become essential for modern public safety operations.
As technology reshapes law enforcement—from AI and cross-agency data sharing to cybersecurity and mental health response—success depends on thoughtful implementation. Agencies must balance innovation with community trust, ensure equitable access, maintain data security, and measure outcomes through tangible community impact.
The evolution of public safety technology presents both opportunities and responsibilities. As agencies navigate this transformation, the focus must remain on enhancing both officer and community safety while building stronger, more resilient organizations.
Contact our team at ForceMetrics to learn how your agency can harness emerging technologies to create a safer, more effective future for law enforcement.