Guest Editorial by Jeff Halstead, Founder & President of Evertel
Interoperability is an absolute must today for first responders and their agencies as violent crime rates and wide-scale crises occur at higher rates across the nation.
While advancements in communications technologies have made it possible for first responders to communicate effectively amongst each other and other agencies, there’s a significant communication limitation across law enforcement as a whole. In many cases, officers are even using non-compliant consumer messaging apps and platforms that present considerable risk.
Interagency collaboration is incredibly effective no matter the situation and can be utilized across multiple levels throughout the public sector.
Roughly 9 in 10 first responders surveyed in a recent Verizon study reported the ability to communicate across agencies was “a critical concern” in their current line of work, and 93% stated that communicating across agencies is critical in managing crises.
Below, we look at how law enforcement agencies can improve their interagency collaboration.
Interagency Cooperation vs. Collaboration in Law Enforcement
There are still misconceptions about how interagency cooperation and interagency collaboration work. Collaboration in law enforcement is often organized and proactive, while interagency cooperation takes a reactive approach.
Unfortunately, the concept of interagency cooperation only takes things so far. The process can help first responders work faster and more efficiently when handled correctly but can often feel forced or formal at the same time.
Still, true interagency collaboration in law enforcement is about building productive relationships, communications channels, systems, and protocols to get the work done right.
Achieving true interagency collaboration can make a significant difference in crisis and disaster response.
Sharing Intelligence
Communicating within an agency is difficult and communicating with neighboring agencies can be even more challenging – especially during a community crisis.
First responders utilize smartphones significantly more than land-mobile-radios (LMR) while on duty today, highlighting the importance of having compatible tools for effective communication between responders, their agencies, and surrounding agencies during crises.
While a wide variety of messaging options can provide intelligence sharing across agencies, they should be secure and compliant with federal regulations.
Because more responders use smartphones on duty, many use the same public messaging apps they communicate with friends and family on.
These platforms are illegal to use in government communications and can be much more vulnerable to losses of valuable information.
An ideal resolution is a capable and real-time communications solution that enables interagency collaboration instantly, ensuring crucial information is shared quickly and seamlessly.
This should connect multiple law enforcement agencies with other essential agencies in a geographical region during times of need, such as emergency medical services or fire departments, or even local elected officials.
(Learn More. See how the Richmond Police Department has utilized Mark43 CAD for 2 years, during which they’ve been better able to serve the citizens of Richmond, CA. Hear from Michael Schlemmer, Communication’s Center Manager, on what the partnership has meant for her team. Courtesy of Mark43 and YouTube.)
Gaining Public Trust
Police transparency — whether internal or public-facing — begins with communication clarity.
Rapid intelligence sharing between organizations leads to faster crime solving and crime reduction, ultimately allowing for public approval to naturally follow. Communities are stronger when their public safety organizations work together.
Departments become more efficient with instant communication channels to enable interagency collaboration.
Streamlined operations allow for rapid intelligence sharing, which protects more citizens and even saves them money, building that all-important public trust with law enforcement.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergencies and other catastrophic events highlight the need for split-second decision-making. In many previous instances, communications among those responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or mass shootings have lacked interoperability.
An example of this communication failure is the recent Astroworld disaster.
Firefighters stationed outside NRG Park in Houston were not in radio communication with the EMS providers hired by Astroworld organizers when the festival turned deadly.
Firefighters were in direct communication with the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Emergency Corps, providing some of the transport units for that event.
Still, the department was not in direct communication with the event organizers during the concert.
(ABC News pieced together social video and documents to track what happened at Travis Scott’s music festival in Houston that left 10 people dead. Courtesy of ABC News and YouTube. Posted on Nov 18, 2021.)
The arrangement made for inefficient communication when concertgoers were in distress and needed emergency help.
Seconds are precious when it comes to saving lives, and unfortunately, the lack of interoperably capable and compliant communications platforms hindered emergency response.
While there is no doubt that interagency collaboration is essential in first responder communication efforts, it’s no easy task.
Departments must stay up to date on the latest compliant solutions that meet the needs of each agency and work together to find an ideal balance so each party can effectively operate in times of crisis.
About the author
Jeff Halstead dedicated nearly 30 years of service to law enforcement and corresponding local communities.
For more than two decades, Halstead worked for the Phoenix Police Department, departing as Commander to join the Fort Worth Police Department. As Chief of Police in Fort Worth, he navigated many national and global crisis incidents before retiring in 2015.
He went on to found and create Evertel, a secure and compliant mobile communication platform for first responders and government entities, to solve the communication disparities he witnessed firsthand as a first responder and law enforcement agency leader.
For additional information, please visit getevertel.com, or follow the company at twitter.com/evertelhq, or facebook.com/evertelhq/.
Related Technologies…
Mark43 Takes Home the Gold in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Homeland Security Program
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
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Mark43, a cloud-native public safety software company, offers a single-platform Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) for seamless data entry and faster reporting that are a natural extension of the dispatcher, call taker, and in-field first responder during an emergency response.
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Mark43 partners with over 120 public safety agencies of all sizes in the U.S. and abroad and uses its platform to support the demands of any mission.
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By providing fast, powerful technology Mark43 enables first responders to focus on their most important work–keeping communities safe.
(See how Mark43 empowers communities and their governments with new technologies that improve the safety and quality of life for all. Mark43’s cloud-native public safety platform includes no-downtime updates, industry-leading functionality, and an uncompromising commitment to security and compliance. Courtesy of Mark43 and YouTube.)
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*Mark43 was also recognized in the 2020, and 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Programs.
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The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.
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