Public safety, IT often divided over technology funding

Another source of frustration is that there is no one person or department responsible for implementing new technology, Hubbard explained.  As such, even if there was an adequate budget for new technology, it is difficult to get it implemented.

Public-safety officials can help matters by being as clear as possible when seeking technology funding, according to Bill Schrier, the FirstNet state point of contact for the state of Washington and former chief technology officer (CTO) for the city of Seattle.

Law enforcement “needs to be more transparent in what they are doing and how they are using technology,” Schrier said. 

“There is technology sitting in organizations that is not even being used to a tenth of its capability,” said Mike King, national law-enforcement manager for Esri, which develops GIS software.

All of the panelists agreed that being more creative about the use of the technology that is available to them, including social-media outlets, is the best way to work within the parameters of their funding limits.