By: Dawn Zoldi
Technological advancements have created opportunities for homeland security and national security professionals to significantly improve operational effectiveness. However, these innovations – uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), bodycams, advanced mobile data terminals (MDTs), and more – are only as powerful as the data they can access and the systems with which they can integrate. Mark43’s trusted, mission-critical computer aided dispatch (CAD) and records management systems (RMS) solutions serve as the essential systems of record, ensuring these technologies operate with the most accurate, real-time information. By providing a secure, open API, Mark43 enhances seamless integration, allowing these tools to align with and leverage vital data for enhanced decision-making and response. This foundation not only simplifies the jobs of law enforcement and military members, but also amplifies the effectiveness of other technologies, ultimately improving public safety outcomes as well as national security.
In a recent Dawn of Autonomy podcast, two prominent public safety experts from Mark43, Banning Sweatland and Ganesha Martin, showcased how Mark43 equips law enforcement, first responders and defense personnel with enhanced CAD and RMS to ensure communities are protected and lives are safeguarded across the nation.
Meet the Experts
With a distinguished 20-year career in law enforcement, Banning Sweatland brings a wealth of practical experience to his role as SLG Business Development at Mark43. His journey began in the United States Marine Corps. He followed this with a stellar career in law enforcement, where he played a diverse range of roles including patrol, investigations and the integration of emerging technologies like drones and body cameras. Beyond his work at Mark43, Sweatland is a Board Member of the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, a Texas Master Peace Officer and the host of the “Two Cops, One Donut” podcast.
As the VP of Public Policy and Community Affairs at Mark43, Ganesha Martin leverages her legal background and extensive experience in public safety to foster trust and accountability. Prior to joining Mark43, Martin held senior roles within the Baltimore City Police Department (the nation’s 8th largest) and the Mayor’s Office. Her current work focuses on forging connections between law enforcement, communities, and policymakers to promote transparency and enhance public trust.
These two experts provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing public safety and defense agencies and the technological advancements that are changing operational battle rhythms and procedures for the better.
The Genesis of Innovation: Mark43’s Origin Story
Mark43 began with a profound understanding of the historical limitations and frustrations within public safety agencies. Recognizing the need to modernize outdated infrastructure and address the fragmented systems that often hinder cohesive operations, the company was founded with a clear mission: to transform how public safety agencies operate.
“The founders of Mark43 recognized that legacy systems were not meeting the demands of modern policing,” explained Martin. “They set out to create a solution that would empower agencies to operate more efficiently and effectively.” This vision led to the development of a cloud-native platform designed to unify workflows, enhance data sharing and improve decision-making capabilities. In short, Mark43 modernized the key tools routinely used by those on the front lines of public safety and defense: CAD and RMS.
Core Features and Capabilities: Foundations of a Robust Platform
Mark43 built its platforms on a set of core principles to add value, while maintaining ease of use, for those in the field. These principles include:
Cloud-Native Architecture
By leveraging the power of the cloud, Mark43 ensures agencies have access to the latest technology without the burden of managing complex infrastructure. This allows for seamless updates, enhanced security and greater scalability – all essential components for modern operations.
Unified Ecosystem
Mark43’s platform integrates CAD, RMS and advanced analytics tools into a single, unified environment. This eliminates the need for officers to navigate multiple systems and improves operational efficiency.
Mobile Accessibility
Recognizing the imperative that officers spend time in the community and aren’t stuck behind a desk, Mark43 offers mobile applications that allow responders to access critical information, complete reports, and process evidence from their smartphones or tablets. This means that they have the tools they need while on-the-go, saving time from driving to and from a station house and increasing visibility in the community. This is especially important in rural areas or any scenario where officers have to be far away from their car and its MDT.
Imagine an officer responding to a minor traffic accident. With Mark43’s RMS, instead of returning to the station to manually fill out a report, they can use the mobile application on their smartphone right at the scene. The system automatically populates fields with relevant information from CAD, such as location and time. The officer can quickly add details like vehicle descriptions and driver information, using voice-to-text for efficiency. They can also take photos of the scene with their phone, which are automatically uploaded and attached to the report. Because the information is synched across systems, by the time the officer gets back in their vehicle, the report is almost complete and ready for final review and submission. This significantly reduces administrative time and allows them to return to patrol more quickly.
Open API
Mark43’s open Application Programming Interface (API) allows for seamless integration with third-party systems and data sources. This plug-and-playability allows agencies to leverage existing technology partners while creating a more comprehensive view of their environment.
What’s New: A Deep Dive into Mark43’s Product Enhancements
Since its inception, Mark43 has continuously evolved its platform to meet the ever-changing needs of its users. Recent updates and enhancements showcase the company’s commitment to constant improvement.
Mark43 Insights
This artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled analytics platform empowers agencies to gain deeper insights into their operations, identify trends and make data-driven decisions. It allows administrators or city officials to quickly analyze data such as traffic stops on specific streets, clearance type, and citations generated. Mark43 Insights provides real-time information on patrol activities and areas needing more focus.
“Insights empowers agencies to move from reactive to proactive policing,” Martin explained. “By analyzing data, they can identify patterns and allocate resources more effectively.” This level of data analysis offers unprecedented improvements in terms of resource allocation and strategic decision-making for agencies.
Mobile CAD Enhancements
Mark43 has made significant improvements to its mobile CAD capabilities so dispatchers can manage incidents and communicate with responders from any location. These enhancements ensure that dispatchers can continue their work regardless of their physical location, which is especially useful during crises or in remote locations.
Sweatland emphasized that being able to run a person’s information directly from the field, with dispatch reading in real-time, would have been invaluable, especially in remote locations with unreliable radio communication. In recounting his experience as a rural sheriff patrolling over 920 square miles, said, “If I had my workphone with me and I had the first responder app downloaded on there…I wouldn’t even have to return to the car.”
“Mobile CAD provides critical support for officers, especially in rural locations,” he continued. “It ensures that they have the information they need at their fingertips, no matter where they are.” This enhanced mobility greatly improves response times and coordination.
Cybersecurity Solutions
Recognizing the growing threat of cyberattacks, the Mark43 platform comes with a range of cybersecurity protections designed to address ransomware and other malicious activities. Mark43 offers monitoring of systems to be proactive, as well as consulting and services at the same levels a corporation would use to protect its assets.
Martin emphasized, “Protecting sensitive data is paramount. Our cybersecurity solutions provide agencies with the tools and expertise they need to defend against cyber threats.” She noted the company was among the first to achieve FedRAMP High data security certification in their sector. In an age where cyberattacks remain a constant threat, this level of security is crucial for maintaining the integrity of public safety operations.
AI Integration
Mark43 leverages AI to automate tasks, improve report writing and enhance investigative capabilities. To help write reports and assist investigators, AI pulls together all the systems’ pieces (CAD, RMS, investigations, etc.). This AI integration not only streamlines administrative tasks but also provides investigators with powerful tools to analyze data and identify patterns.
BriefAI
Mark43 Brief AI allows field commanders or detectives to get a concise summary of relevant information. This both saves time and enhances situational awareness.
To illustrate the power of Brief AI, consider a detective investigating a string of burglaries. If the detective inputs a specific address into Mark43, Brief AI can quickly generate a summary of all past incidents at that location and in the surrounding area. The AI might identify a recurring pattern, such as forced entry through back windows during daylight hours, which suggests a specific modus operandi (MO). By highlighting this pattern, Brief AI enables the detective to quickly determine if the current incident fits the profile. This allows the detective to focus their investigation and eliminate irrelevant leads, ultimately saving valuable time and resources. This targeted approach not only accelerates the investigative process but also increases the likelihood of apprehending the suspect by recognizing and prioritizing specific criminal behaviors.
“Brief AI is a game-changer for investigators,” explained Sweatland. “It allows them to quickly sift through vast amounts of data and identify the most important information, enabling them to focus on the critical aspects of their cases.”
Real-World Impacts: A Case Study Highlighting Success
The true measure of any technology lies in its real-world impact. Mark43 has a proven track record of helping public safety agencies improve their operations and enhance community safety.
Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) use of Mark43 CAD and RMS provides a recent example of how the platform made a transformative impact for a local community. During a severe hurricane that knocked out city-wide communications, the FMPD was able to maintain full operations thanks to Mark43’s cloud-native platform. Even when local communications systems failed, they maintained communications and assisted neighboring agencies whose communications were disrupted by leveraging the Mark43 platform to support their dispatch. This real-world scenario demonstrates the robustness, interoperability and reliability of the Mark43 platform, even in the face of extreme challenges. This is but one example of many.
The Future of Public Safety and Defense: A Vision for Tomorrow
As technology continues to advance, Mark43 remains committed to staying at the forefront of innovation for public safety and defense. The company is actively exploring new ways to leverage AI, machine learning and other emerging technologies to further enhance its platform to empower its users.
By prioritizing collaboration and the needs of the agencies it serves, Mark43 will continue to build a safer, more secure future for communities around the world.
“We are dedicated to working hand-in-hand with our partners in public safety and defense,” Martin said. “By listening to their needs and investing in cutting-edge technology, we can help them meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Sweatland added, “Our ultimate goal is to provide law enforcement and defense personnel with the tools they need to protect our communities and keep us safe.”
Today, public safety agencies are over-worked, understaffed and stuck using outdated technology that can’t keep up with the growing needs of responders. Mark43’s unified, modern platform helps the entire public safety agency, from dispatch to analysis, work more effectively and efficiently—saving time, money, and most importantly, lives.
Original Story: https://www.auvsi.org/mark43-enhancing-public-safety-and-defense-through-trusted-technologies
