Innovation vs. Tradition: Lessons Learned from the Introduction of Connected Officer Programs by Two Agencies

Sunday, October 15, 2023

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM PST

Location: Room: 1B

Speaker(s)

Jared VandenHeuvel

Director of Public Safety Solutions, Infrastructure Operations Division
Texas Department of Public Safety
Austin, Texas, United States
David Straede

Network Administrator, Information Technology
Santa Barbara Police Department, California
Santa Barbara, California, United States

Submitter & Moderator(s)

Dale Stockton

Captain (Ret.)
Carlsbad Police Department, California
Oceanside, California, United States

Many agencies are using a connected officer approach that leverages issued smartphones. Despite the ubiquity of mobile devices, achieving full utility in police operations has often presented challenges due to traditional police practices and/or officers’ resistance to change. This presentation will contrast the experiences of two very different agencies, the Texas Department of Public Safety (4,000+ sworn) and the Santa Barbara California Police Department (150 sworn).
Both agencies have been widely recognized for their use of mobile technology, but success was not always assured. Managers for both agencies will provide program overviews, and candidly share the challenges and strategies used to integrate smartphones into their agencies, as well as the resulting operational benefits.