How the City of Stockton Police Department navigates staffing constraints with real-time fleet tracking

Police departments across the U.S. suffer staffing shortages

Amid job stressors, safety concerns, and financial unease, U.S. police departments are having trouble recruiting, hiring, and retaining police officers. A 2022 survey showed that the majority of law enforcement professionals consider police staffing to be the biggest problem faced by the industry.

The City of Stockton Police Department was not immune to these struggles. In recent years, staffing struggles and overwhelming waves of service calls had stretched the department's devoted and dedicated officers thin. In July 2023, Police Chief Stanley McFadden announced that the department, like so many others across the nation impacted by resource constraints, had to make the difficult decision to restrict police dispatching to certain types of calls.

McFadden was determined not to let the staffing shortage affect the department's ability to respond to emergency calls. "We are stretched thin, however, the one thing that we can't take away from is our emergency response."

To continue protecting and serving the citizens of Stockton, the police department needed a partner in resource allocation. They found many of the tools they needed in One Step GPS' comprehensive fleet management system.

A complete law enforcement fleet management solution

To thrive during a staffing crisis, the City of Stockton Police Department needed to get strategic to maximize its available resources. Here's how they used the One Step GPS platform to continue effectively serving their community even with limited personnel.

1. Full fleet visibility for maximized resource allocation

With One Step GPS' advanced tracking capabilities, the City of Stockton Police Department was able to make the most of its resources despite constraints. Here are some of the features that made the biggest impact:

Advanced vehicle tracking. Our real-time GPS tracking allows departments to view each of their vehicles and assets 24/7 on desktop, mobile, or tablet from our user-friendly dashboard. This gives commanders the ability to strategically position officers and reallocate resources as needed to ensure quicker response times. During an emergency, seconds count. Our system updates location data every 1 to 30 seconds and is accurate to within about 8 feet, so commanders never have to guess about a vehicle's location.
Historical data for enhanced planning. The One Step GPS platform provides a wealth of historical data to help understaffed police departments plan for effective resource use. With access to detailed data on vehicle routes, stops, and trends in fleet activity, commanders can plan for the future and optimize patrolling—helping them stay one step ahead of emergencies by strategically placing officers where they're most likely to be needed.

Screenshot of OSG platform displaying accurate GPS tracking

“[One Step GPS] provides data for analytical purposes to enhance operational efficiency.”

2. Improved dispatching for faster response times

To respond to emergencies quickly with reduced staff, the City of Stockton Police Department had to maximize dispatching efficiency. One Step GPS improves dispatching and response times for police departments with features like:

Sophisticated maps. With One Step GPS' state-of-the-art maps, commanders can see the live location of each police vehicle, improving dispatching and routing for the swiftest possible response times. Traffic stalls shouldn't be a barrier to quick emergency services, so our platform features live traffic overlays to allow seamless rerouting in response to real-time conditions.
Live communication. Police departments can use the One Step GPS app to stay connected through the messaging feature, keeping processes streamlined and reducing response times. Commanders, officers, and dispatchers can quickly share important information, relay urgent changes to patrol routes, and respond to crucial updates with the click of a mouse or the tap of a screen.

Screenshot of OSG platform displaying live traffic and satellite view

“Response times have improved.”

3. Maintaining employee accountability for maximized resource management

To persevere through the staffing shortage, the City of Stockton Police Department needed every officer to do their part. One Step GPS helped make this happen with features designed to promote employee transparency and accountability, such as:

Live, customizable alerts. Police departments can stay informed with One Step GPS' live notifications via the app, email, or text. While alerts for when vehicles enter or leave defined areas are useful when estimating accurate response times, alerts for operation outside defined boundaries or after-hours use can ensure officers are using department vehicles and resources according to protocol. As many personnel as needed can receive alerts at no additional charge, maximizing visibility.
Route history data. With access to detailed route history information like stops along a route and driving start and end times, departments ensure employees are adhering to assigned shifts and making the most use of their scheduled hours. Cutting down on wasted time can help thinly stretched departments reclaim valuable work hours, improving efficiency and productivity.

Screenshot of OSG platform displaying historical data

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