Modern public safety systems divide responsibility across disconnected institutions while relying on police as the default response mechanism.
- explains officer overload
- explains public dissatisfaction
- explains resource strain
- explains mission creep
Police became:
- the catch-all response institution
without:- integrated infrastructure
- unified data systems
- aligned resource models
Resource Management
Public safety is the prevention of, and protection from, events that could endanger the safety, health, or property of the public, so that community members can live, work, and thrive without fear of injury or significant harm. Public safety is a cooperative effort between first responders (including law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire protection) and local government entities (emergency management, public health initiatives, and infrastructure safety).
Law enforcement’s primary role in the cooperative effort of public safety is that of security and protection by way of lawful enforcement, prevention, and apprehension.
Law enforcement agencies are additionally tasked with responding to all other public safety needs: emergency medical services, fire protection, emergency management, public health initiatives, and infrastructure safety.
Peace officers are the primary, and sometimes only, resource for law enforcement agencies.