Battle Creek Case Study
Battle Creek PD in Michigan was using an outdated software solution to manage their professional standards operations. Their police software was clunky, difficult to use, and came with a steep learning curve. As a result, employees would rush through reports just to get it over with. This created a host of incomplete and inaccurate data that couldn’t be trusted or used effectively.
“Having bad data is almost worse than having no data…It really was the old adage – garbage in, garbage out.”
-Lieutenant Elliot, Battle Creek PD, MI
That all changed with the Professional Standards Suite (PSS) from PowerDMS by NEOGOV. With this modern and integrated platform, Battle Creek can now connect their policies and action reports with internal affairs. Automated workflows can be configured to their exact needs. And their data is more complete and accurate, which has improved decision-making and streamlined annual reporting.
"The Professional Standards Suite from PowerDMS by NEOGOV works together as one seamless, capable program. The software is fully configurable and captures an array of data while providing a smooth end-user experience. I would highly recommend the Professional Standards Suite to any agency looking to upgrade their internal reporting and tracking."
-Lieutenant Elliot, Battle Creek PD, MI
How Analytics Improve Policy, Training, and Investigations
Policies
With data analytics, you can track how policies are applied in real-world situations. It shows where officers follow procedures and where they don’t. If the same policy regularly comes up in internal affairs investigations, agencies can determine where the issue stems from: unclear policies, lack of training, or something else.
Through trend analysis, agencies can identify high-risk policies that need updates. If a certain policy leads to repeated violations, excessive complaints, or inconsistent enforcement, data helps pinpoint the problem. Instead of waiting for a major incident, agencies can adjust policies proactively.
Training
Data from professional standards software allows you to track officer performance over time. Instead of relying on guesswork, agencies can analyze trends to identify recurring problems. If multiple officers struggle with the same procedures, it signals a need for updated or expanded training programs.
By analyzing reports, complaints, and field performance, agencies can pinpoint weak spots before they lead to bigger issues. If data shows repeated errors in foot pursuits, the department can adjust training to focus on that skill.
Investigations
Internal affairs investigations may take several months to go from allegation to adjudication. Manual and paper processes only extend this time period (i.e. sifting through stacks of reports, using static forms for reporting, and relying on email to manage cases). If an officer is suspended, any delay to return to duty is a burden on the agency – especially considering that 80% of public safety agencies are understaffed.
Thanks to analytics, agencies can organize case files, relate incidents to policies, and quickly identify relevant patterns. Investigators can track case progress in real time, ensuring no critical detail is lost. By streamlining case reviews, investigators spend less time on paperwork and more time investigating.
The Benefits of Integrated Dashboards and Automation
Collecting data manually is hard enough, but analytics is about more than data collection. It’s about identifying patterns in the data that provide actionable insights. With manual processes, the data is often incomplete and inaccurate. As a result, the patterns of misconduct or policy gaps are either missed or invisible.
With law enforcement software like the Professional Standards Suite (PSS) from PowerDMS, data analysis is easily accessible and simplified. PSS consists of three core products – Action, IA, and Vitals – which come with integrated dashboards, powerful automation, real-time reporting, and much more.
From the comprehensive dashboards in PSS, your staff can view and do several things, depending on roles and permissions:
- Command staff view all key information in one convenient location.
- Supervisors check, review, and manage the status of assigned reports.
- Officers see where their action reports are in the review process.
- Agency leaders view the complaint dashboard with all required data for reporting.
- IA Supervisors access each case’s status, priority level, and assigned investigator.
- Supervisors get quantifiable insights into the level of stress and burnout their officers experience.
Thanks to real-time reporting, your agency can maintain accurate, up-to-date records that simplify accreditation and compliance audits. In PSS, data is easy to find and annual reporting on uses of force, pursuits, and other actions is simple. When added together, these features streamline your reporting and investigative processes while reducing liability.
Final Thoughts
Data is the thread tying all professional standards operations together. Policies and training guide officer actions. Action reports inform investigations. Investigations impact policies and training.
At least, that’s how it works if you have access to accurate and complete data. In reality, many agencies still manage professional standards processes with paper, static forms, spreadsheets, rigid workflows, and email.
By investing in modern professional standards software like the Professional Standards Suite from PowerDMS, you can proactively fill gaps in policy and training, which keeps your agency in compliance. You can improve decision making and save time. Schedule a no-obligation consultation today to learn how your agency can elevate its operations.
