A new nationwide survey of over 500 public safety professionals reveals the most important priorities for agencies in 2025. Conducted in October 2024, the study highlights a shift underway across law enforcement and first responder agencies away from outdated systems to more modern, cloud-native platforms and integrated systems. The report highlights a desire for technology that enhances agencies’ efficiency, security, and resilience. Let's take a look at some of the important ways today’s technology is helping agencies meet these goals.
Efficiency is Paramount.
Across the board, public safety professionals want tools that enable them to get more done in less time. Over three quarters of law enforcement professionals said they spend more than half their shift time on paperwork, and 70% reported needing to work overtime to complete it. Here are some of the ways technology is helping to reduce this burden:
AI Assistance
87% of respondents in law enforcement said they believe AI is transforming the public safety industry for the better. They point to improvements in efficiency like streamlining the process of writing reports, performing repetitive administrative tasks, enhancing data analytics, and making it easier to identify crime patterns. Efficiency improvements like these free officers from laborious administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on their work in the field.
Enhanced Analytics
86% of public safety professionals noted a need to streamline data reporting processes at their organizations, and an overwhelming 97% of law enforcement workers said that eliminating the need to enter the same data multiple times across reports would make a significant impact on their workloads. While 78% of these workers report that they already use analytics tools, 87% of those users expressed a need for those tools to be integrated into the systems of record.
Integrated Platforms Enhance Coordination
Public safety software doesn’t just help personnel do more; it helps them better coordinate their efforts. More than half of law enforcement personnel report needing to log into four to six different applications each day to do their jobs. Use of disjointed systems wastes valuable staff time, drains resources, slows officer response, and increases the risk of errors. For this reason, platforms that integrate platforms like CAD, RMS, JMS, and workforce scheduling in real time are proving their value. When systems are interconnected, agencies are better equipped to manage their dynamic operations and sync information across platforms without missing a beat.
Mobile access is essential.
Mobile access to information is no longer just a nice feature to have; it’s essential to efficient, timely response. 80% of first responders said they use their phones to complete daily work tasks. However, many still lack mobile access to vital tools like CAD and RMS. That’s a missed opportunity to boost officer effectiveness: 82% said that mobile CAD and RMS access would enable them to be more effective, and 87% reported wanting better access to location-based data while responding to calls.
Cybersecurity is a growing concern.
The demand for cloud-native tech is rising—and with it, the need for enhanced cybersecurity. As threats become more sophisticated, cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue—it's a front-line concern. According to the survey, 84% of agencies experienced cybersecurity events such as scam calls, malware, and viruses in the previous year. Public safety professionals recognize this problem, with 83% stating a belief that the public would have more trust in agencies if they followed stringent cybersecurity protocols like the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) standards, which are often used by federal agencies to safeguard cloud environments. Agencies that move to cloud platforms backed by government-grade infrastructure benefit from more uptime, enhanced data integrity, and guaranteed security compliance.
Resilience is Crucial.
Resilience is a critical aspect of any technology that public safety agencies rely on. An overwhelming majority (68%) of agencies have experienced outages due to outdated systems, and 89% of law enforcement professionals worry about the performance of legacy systems in the face of major events like natural disasters or large public gatherings. The fact is that outdated technology puts public safety operations—and hence public safety itself—at risk. For this reason, 88% of law enforcement respondents expressed that an upgrade to more modern technology would help them serve their communities more effectively.
It's Time to Reimagine What's Possible.
Public safety professionals need all the support they can get, and modern technology has an immense capacity to provide that support. By embracing state-of-the-art data analytics, AI assistance, integrated systems, mobile accessibility, and robust security, agencies empower their members to work more efficiently, effectively, and safely. For decision-makers in public safety, this is the moment to reassess your tech stack. It’s not about chasing trends but rather about giving your teams the tools they need to perform their best.
FieldWare provides innovative software solutions for public safety agencies including law enforcement, fire and rescue, criminal justice, corrections, and community supervision. Read our customer stories to learn about how we’re making a difference, or find more insights on our blog.
