Embracing public safety technologies in the face of opposition

The landscape of public safety is rapidly evolving, with technology playing a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and most importantly, safety. At Geotab Connect 2025, public safety leaders came together to share their experiences in adopting and leveraging cutting-edge solutions, particularly public safety technologies like fleet management solutions. Their insights revealed common challenges, innovative solutions and the transformative impact these technologies have on their operations. This session’s speakers featured:

• Mark Figueiredo, Director of Materials Management at Peel Regional Police
• Michael Park, Chief of Fleet Management, Central Office at the Florida Department of Corrections
• Stephen Weldon, Director of Enterprise Applications at Massachusetts State Police

Overcoming resistance: Addressing concerns about public safety technologies

One of the primary hurdles in implementing new technology is addressing the concerns of stakeholders. Public safety agencies often face resistance stemming from worries about privacy, potential misuse and return on investment. As one leader put it, there were concerns over 'Big Brother' and funding. Stakeholders wanted to be sure that the platform would really be worth the investment.

To navigate these challenges, agencies have found creative solutions. For example, implementing a "personal mode” within a fleet management solution helps maintain driver privacy, addressing a significant concern. Demonstrating tangible benefits, such as reducing idle time and fuel consumption, also helps alleviate financial apprehensions. 

"We were doing about 250 hours per day of idling in a division. So, not outside on the road, but just in the division a day. And in the last […] few months, it’s been […] about 50. 50 hours a day."

 - Mark Figueiredo, Peel Regional Police

Demonstrating value: Building trust and securing buy-in

Building trust and securing buy-in requires demonstrating the practical value of public safety technologies. Many agencies have found that focusing on vehicle data, rather than driver behavior, can ease initial resistance. Our speakers shared how they made it clear to their teams that they would not focus on the driver, just the vehicle. This would help eliminate the perception of telematics being used as a punitive tool.

Furthermore, integrating technologies like NFC readers streamlines processes and enhances recordkeeping. By tying in the NFC reader functionality to a fleet management platform, employees can simply swipe their official IDs for digital driver identification. This saves them crucial amounts of time and streamlines the paperwork process. It not only improves efficiency but also satisfies stringent recordkeeping requirements.

Data additionally plays a crucial role in enhancing safety and accountability. Data tells the truth and can sometimes prove critical in helping to refute an allegation made against an officer. Robert Martinez shared that from his experience, in nine out of 10 cases, GPS data helped to exonerate an officer of wrongdoing. This impartial evidence helps protect personnel and build trust in the technology.

Enhancing operational efficiency and safety with fleet management solutions

Public safety agencies are leveraging fleet management solutions to enhance operational efficiency and safety in various ways. Real-time data helps improve response times to incidents, maintaining effective deployment of resources. Gaining tactical awareness on the road with data can help a department’s officers enhance response to traffic collisions. The faster they can dispatch a trooper to an incident, the faster they can get it resolved and keep more of their resources available.

“So a lot of the officer safety aspects, which were overlooked at the beginning, have really come into play […] we have an integration between the Geotab data and our CAD system. And so we can tactically deploy folks, based on events and based on what other aspects of things are going on, so that it provides the officer with a faster backup than would have normally been prior to Geotab.” 

- Stephen Weldon, Massachusetts State Police

For agencies like correctional departments, these solutions are critical for promoting the safety of both drivers and inmates. Additionally, integrating third-party platforms like Safe Worker with a fleet management solution can help provide comprehensive protection for officers during check-ins or transport, especially during overnight hours.

“[…] It was really the bus that sold Geotab to our department, and that we could get real-time data as we're moving inmates up and down our roadways between reception centers to their final destination in their prison,” said Michael Park of the Florida Department of Corrections. “And so that was very helpful for us to sell to executive leadership. That real-time tracking of those units, both for the safety of the officer and the safety of those in our care and custody, but also the public citizenry, because these units are moving up and down public highways.” 

Michael additionally shared a story about how during Hurricane Helene in 2024, the state of Florida had to evacuate nearly 3,000 inmates and their belongings out of harm’s way. Geotab’s telematics played a crucial role in providing their command center with real-time vehicle tracking data that made the process simpler to conduct. Being able to analyze the vehicle data afterward also helped them develop a strong after-action plan, identify improvement areas and be better prepared for the next storm.

From stories like these, it’s clear that the applications of fleet management software for public safety are diverse, yet equally powerful. And as employees start to see what it can do to benefit them, their previously negative perceptions of it will start to change. In one example of this, Mark Figueiredo shared how it was exciting to see how employees in his department began to ask if Geotab could help with implementing other programs, such as one designed around speed management.

“It was like it shifted [...] and people started coming to us and saying, hey, can Geotab do this for us? We want to [...] implement a speed management program, but [...] we want it to be tied to the posted limit. Do you think Geotab could do that? And obviously we said yes, because that is more valuable than just a hard threshold,” said Mark. “So [...] it was a shift and we could feel it, whereas it was no longer resistance.”

Public safety technologies at work: Geotab’s solutions for police, fire and EMS teams

Through the power of our solutions, Geotab is helping public safety agencies increase situational awareness, safety and savings. Our highly integrated, customizable platform enables public safety teams to tailor its capabilities to their unique needs and help their personnel do their jobs more efficiently. No matter if your department is in policing, fire or emergency medical response, we’re here to make your telematics deployment a success and are fully committed to helping you drive maximum ROI with our platform. Reach out to us today to learn more about how our fleet management solution can transform your operations.

Interested in enhancing operational safety, efficiency and transparency? Book a free consultation with us to discover how Geotab can help you optimize your public safety fleet today.