Six Trends That Will Shape Public Safety in 2022

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Public safety is facing monumental change.

COVID, budget cuts, the opioid epidemic, rising violent crime, cyberattacks, and public anxiety about crime have left many agencies wondering, “How do we move forward?”

Driven by calls to “reimagine public safety,” many public safety agencies are partnering with other government agencies and community organizations while restructuring some traditional law enforcement functions.

But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to shifting the scope of public safety.

Many agencies are implementing co-responder models to better support individuals in crisis.

Other cities are dispatching civilian employees to respond to traffic incidents or banning traffic stops for minor violations.

Every agency will have to decide how the shifting demands of public safety impact their community. Using data to drive changes in public safety is critical. Agencies should use the data they collected to embed a culture of diligence and innovation in the organization.

This can be especially difficult for small- and medium-sized agencies who do not have the same depth of resources as large communities.

Regardless of the approach each agency ultimately takes, any public safety strategy will have to grapple with six key trends that are likely to dominate the conversation in 2022.

Delivering the Right Response

“Reimagining public safety” is no longer just a catchphrase. It is a critical next step.

In 2020, the U.S. saw the emergence of movements aimed at scaling back, ‘reimagining,’ or altogether eliminating the functions of law enforcement, particularly in the areas of crisis response and traffic stops.

In 2022, these calls will get more insistent.

Public safety agencies must be proactive in assessing their role in community interactions that have historically served as the epicenter for police-community tensions or risk having the changes imposed upon them.

The areas most impacted by this trend have been situations involving mental health crises and traffic stops.

A Transformed Workforce

Whether you believe in “reimagining policing,” or you think it is just a catchphrase, it is undisputable that the way agencies deliver public safety is changing.

The last two decades have seen a drop in the recruitment and retention of public safety employees.

That means, in 2022, leading agencies will market themselves as modern workplaces. Agencies need to adjust their recruiting approach and methods to attract candidates who would be successful, capable agency members in this new environment. The candidates targeted for recruitment five years ago may no longer be the ideal candidates for what the job looks like in 2022 and beyond.

One of our recommendations is that agencies do what they can to recruit more women. Research shows women members use excessive force less often, are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits, appear more compassionate to community members, and make fewer discretionary arrests. We’re proud to have partnered with 30×30, a national initiative to advance women in policing.

We encourage agencies to take the 30×30 pledge and work “to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30 percent by 2030 and ensure police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women officers throughout their careers.”

Recruiting more women into the field strengthens the public safety profession and our communities as a whole.

Wraparound Mobile Technology

In 2022, the adoption of technologies that support first responder wellness and increase field efficiency will continue to grow.

Mobile technology is critical to connect responders and enhance safety. It offers first responders incredible situational awareness, and emerging technologies’ capabilities to increase first responder support are only limited by the imagination.

The field of mobile technology is advancing rapidly. Placed in the right hands at the right time, data equips first responders in the field with the information necessary to take immediate, potentially life-saving action. Agencies should take advantage of and deploy technologies that help keep their workforce safe and allow first responders to spend more time in the field.

Technologies such as mobile access to records management systems (RMS) can allow users to collect data and create reports from the field. When identifying any new technology for purchase, we recommend agencies involve the community in the evaluation process. While this may seem unconventional, in our experience an inclusive approach to public safety increases trust and effectiveness.

Escalating Cyberthreats 

Cyberattacks levied against governmental agencies continue to increase in frequency and complexity. Agencies motivated to avoid the chaos, stress, and pain of a hack should proactively seek secure, proven technologies from public and private sources.

In 2022, leading public safety agencies will proactively address vulnerabilities to mission-critical systems.

The ability to find cyber-smart vendors, purchase security-aware technologies, and implement cybersecurity policies vary from agency to agency. However, there are still a few things every agency can do to prevent cyberattacks and keep their systems secure, and the best defense against cyberattacks is to move mission-critical systems to the cloud.

Consent Decrees are Here to Stay

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has used consent decrees and settlement agreements to bring reforms to agencies where there is a practice and pattern of misconduct.

While a singular event can trigger an investigation and subsequent consent decrees, they specifically target allegations of systemic police misconduct. Agencies best positioned to avoid triggering a DOJ investigation are those who demonstrate a commitment to constitutional policing, practice policing by consent, and embrace a culture of reform and innovation.

Expanded Data Environment

In recent years, public confidence in law enforcement has approached record lows, especially in traditionally underserved communities. Data will be the key to improving relationships with all stakeholders.

In 2022, leading agencies will expand the use of data in their efforts to rebuild community trust. Citizens are taking an active role in public safety problem-solving, and agencies are rethinking their engagement through three tenets: availability, accessibility, and authenticity.

But collecting good data is just the beginning.

Data may help agencies cope with change across public safety, but each of the trends discussed above are complex issues in their own right.

Matt Polega

The 2022 U.S. Public Safety Trends Report from Mark43 offers an overview of each trend, its anticipated impact, and three key takeaways for community and first responder leadership to consider as they guide their organizations forward.

Public safety never stays the same, so it pays to consider where the industry is going instead of where the industry is.

Matt Polega is the Co-Founder and Head of Communications & Public Policy at Mark43, a New York City-based public safety technology company that helps agencies improve the safety and quality of life for all.