How Law Enforcement Relies On GPS Tracking

Law enforcement can be a dangerous job. Because of this, those in this field are always looking for ways they can improve their safety and better serve the community. GPS tracking technology can allow them to do this. Let’s look at some of the ways these tracking devices can be put to work.

Sending Officers Where They Are Needed

When there are GPS units embedded in the cars, they will be able to keep track of all the units in the area. When a call comes in, dispatchers will be able to determine which car is closest. By doing this, they will be able to reduce the amount of time it takes for callers to get help. They’ll also be able to accurately figure out how far away the police are.
In a fast-changing environment, like law enforcement, it’s important to make sure that dispatchers can create flexible plans. For example, when a chase breaks out, they’ll be able to see which units are closest. These vehicles can provide support or box in an offender.

Preventing Theft

Sadly, law enforcement vehicles can become targets for theft. For these offenders, it can be a way of humiliating law enforcement. When joy riding, they risk doing thousands of dollars worth of damages. Sometimes, the vehicles will have to be written off. If a police car is stolen, the GPS data can be used to track it down and retrieve it.
Even better, just having a GPS tracking unit installed will be enough to help prevent theft. This is why law enforcement often encourages members of the public to consider installing these systems. A simple tracking unit can greatly reduce the number of stolen vehicles they need to investigate. This allows them to allocate more resources to prevention programs.

Gathering Data

One of the most important aspects of law enforcement is being able to gather strong data. This can be presented in court, helping to verify the police officer’s version of events. A GPS tracker will gather lots of information.
You’ll be able to see when a car was stopped and when it was moving. You can see precisely where officers were when a call went out. You can also gather data on the way the vehicle was driven, like when there was a hard brake. This information will be useful when a prosecutor is preparing their case.

Keeping Officers Safe

One of the core focuses of law enforcement is the safety of police officers. GPS data can help with this. As we mentioned, dispatchers can track locations in real-time. This ensures assistance arrives fast. Furthermore, a GPS tracker can come with an SOS button. If this is hit it sends an alert back to dispatch, telling them that a vehicle is in trouble. Plus, they will know exactly where that unit is and what other police officers are in the same area.

Conclusion

GPS tracking plays a critical role in the world of law enforcement. Without this technology, dispatchers would struggle to make sure that vehicles got to the right place and car theft would be substantially higher. Without these systems, the modern police force would likely struggle to operate to the same high standards.