Empowering Law Enforcement Through Proactive Policing

At the November 2024 Annual Conference of the American Society of Criminology (ASC) in San Francisco, a distinguished panel of law enforcement leaders discussed how data literacy and advanced analytics are transforming modern, proactive policing.

Joel Vargas, Crime Analyst Success Manager at SoundThinking, moderated the roundtable. Panelists included Major Benny Solis of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Stephen Lamoreaux of the Detroit Police Department, and Assistant District Attorney Kathleen McLaughlin of Montgomery County, PA. Together, they explored innovative approaches to leveraging data for more effective law enforcement.

Transforming Departments Through Data

Major Benny Solis of Miami-Dade Police Department faced a critical challenge: jurisdictions were operating in silos despite tracking the same shooters. “Our agencies weren’t even talking whatsoever,” Solis revealed. To address this, his team launched Operation Community Shield, which revolutionized their approach to gun violence. The initiative combined SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter, the leading acoustic gunshot detection system, with ResourceRouter, its patrol management solution, to guide the strategic deployment of officers. Rather than flooding high-crime areas with patrol units, they developed a strategic flowchart identifying the top 30 shooters in the county. This targeted approach, supported by daily inter-agency briefings and real-time data analysis from both systems, led to a 50% reduction in shootings within six months.

Building a Technology Ecosystem

Detroit Police Department’s path to innovation began with necessity. Following the city’s bankruptcy in 2013, Director of Crime Data Analytics Stephen Lamoreaux and his team launched Project Greenlight. “We had no money,” Lamoreaux explained. “The city was broke. We had to get creative and not lose a step.” Starting with eight gas stations, they built a network of real-time surveillance cameras that has grown to over 1,000 business partners. By having businesses invest in their own security infrastructure while connecting to the department’s system, Detroit created a comprehensive surveillance network despite budget constraints.

Their success with Project Greenlight sparked a wider technological ecosystem. The surveillance network now works with license plate readers and ShotSpotter, creating a comprehensive web of evidence collection. The department uses ResourceRouter to analyze data from these systems, helping assess where crimes are likely to occur and optimize resource deployment. Lamoreaux emphasized the importance of strategic placement: “We think about not just where the problem we’re trying to solve occurs, but how that exists in relation to other pieces of technology we have.”

Operationalizing Technology

Miami-Dade’s daily implementation demonstrates how departments can maximize these technological investments. Commanders review data from ShotSpotter alerts and ResourceRouter’s analytics each morning to make tactical decisions. “We’re utilizing our resources for everybody,” Solis explained, describing how the technology allows them to assist neighboring jurisdictions effectively. The system even enables creation of “ad hoc boxes” – temporary patrol zones that help prevent retaliatory shootings after violent incidents.

In Montgomery County, this operational integration extends to prosecution. McLaughlin’s office connects patrol officers, detectives, and prosecutors in real time through its technology ecosystem. When ShotSpotter detects gunfire, officers can quickly locate shell casings, leading to faster NIBIN entries and stronger cases. This systematic approach has helped prosecutors build more comprehensive cases against gun offenders while identifying broader patterns of violence.

The Human Side of Innovation

While technology provides tools, the panel emphasized that success surrounding proactive policing ultimately depends on people. Major Solis personally conducts briefings across multiple shifts to ensure proper understanding of new systems. “If I’m the major and I’m asking you to do something, how can I ask you to do it if I’m not willing to do it myself?”

This human-centered approach extends to officer wellness and development. Detroit partnered with local universities to offer advanced education opportunities, creating what Lamoreaux called “one of the most educated police departments in the country.” In Miami-Dade, Solis instituted mandatory monthly wellness sessions with psychologists. “We’re a family,” he emphasized. “I take them offline once a month and send them to sit down – they can say something or not. I want to make sure they have those resources available.”

The generational gap in technology adoption presents both challenges and opportunities. Veteran officers bring invaluable experience, while newer recruits often arrive with advanced technical skills. Successful departments bridge this divide through consistent training, peer support, and recognition of complementary strengths.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

As artificial intelligence and other technologies emerge, departments face new questions about policy and procedure. McLaughlin noted that prosecutors haven’t yet seen AI policies that adequately address evidence integrity concerns. The panel agreed that clear guidelines must precede technology adoption, particularly for tools that could impact court proceedings.

Key Takeaways

Success in modern, proactive policing requires:

• Commitment to breaking down jurisdictional silos through data sharing
• Strategic investment in integrated technology systems
• Consistent operational execution of data-driven strategies
• Leadership that demonstrates hands-on engagement with new tools
• Balance between technological advancement and officer wellbeing

The experiences shared by these agencies demonstrate that effective proactive policing increasingly depends on the thoughtful integration of technology, data literacy, and human factors. As one panelist noted, “The way we used to police – that’s gone. We’re in 2024.”

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