Editor’s note: “Voices of Leadership: Interviews with Command Staff” is a mini-podcast series sponsored by Peregrine that brings you in-depth conversations with law enforcement leaders who share how community connection, innovation and collaboration are transforming public safety. Each episode highlights real-world examples of strategies that have made communities safer, from integrating cutting-edge technologies to fostering stronger ties with citizens and city departments.
Join us to learn from the experiences of command staff as they discuss challenges, successes, and their vision for the future of policing.
Want to learn more about how technology is shaping public safety? Check out Connected Communities: The Future of Community Safety for insights into how digital tools and innovative approaches are helping law enforcement build stronger, safer communities.
Download this week’s episode on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify or via RSS feed, and watch the video version on Police1’s YouTube channel.
Communities across America strive for safer streets and stronger connections between police and residents, but few achieve transformative success. Once labeled the nation’s most violent city per capita, San Pablo, California, dramatically reversed its trajectory by combining targeted technology investments with proactive community engagement. Through strategic use of automated license plate readers, video cameras and innovative AI tools, San Pablo PD has become a leader in public safety technology integration, seeing a remarkable 80% reduction in crime over a decade.
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley welcomes Chief Brian Bubar of the San Pablo Police Department, who shares insights from his rise through the ranks, the evolution of his agency, and the powerful impact technology has had on crime reduction and community trust. Chief Bubar details how strategic communication, thoughtful policy-making and embracing technological advances positioned San Pablo as an exemplar for agencies nationwide seeking similar outcomes.
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Tune in to discover:
- How San Pablo PD transformed from reactive policing to proactive innovation.
- The biggest challenges in integrating ALPRs, video cameras and predictive policing tools.
- Why regional data consolidation is vital for real-time crime centers.
- How data integration platforms could revolutionize reporting and case management.
- What police leaders should consider before investing in emerging tech solutions.
Learn more about the San Pablo Police Department.
About our sponsor
Peregrine’s real-time decision and operations management platform empowers law enforcement agencies with the data they need to solve their hardest problems and do their best work. Through advanced data integration technology, Peregrine maximizes the impact of your real-time crime center by centralizing and organizing historical and real-time data, making it readily accessible and actionable in the moments that matter most. Visit peregrine.io to learn how your organization can get started.
Key takeaways from this episode
- Early community buy-in: Successful implementation of technology programs in policing begins with transparent and frequent community dialogue, addressing concerns proactively.
- Technology as a force multiplier: Strategic deployment of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and situational awareness cameras dramatically improved crime-solving efficiency and deterrence capabilities.
- Building internal support: Clearly communicating the benefits of technology investments to frontline officers fosters agency-wide buy-in and helps overcome cultural resistance.
- Leveraging data consolidation: Unified data platforms are the next crucial step for maximizing the potential of real-time crime centers, enabling rapid response and predictive insights.
- Long-term youth engagement: Investment in programs reaching youth from elementary through college-age builds lasting community relationships and significantly reduces gang and juvenile crime.
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