Improving Probation Officer Effectiveness with Mobile Applications

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Probation Department identified a need to put their offender database and caseload on a secure mobile platform to allow for better case management, productivity and cost savings. Utilizing 2011 data, San Diego County prepared a business case highlighting the cost for one key task, Contact Logs, in which probation officers record meetings with probationers in the field. Having the ability to update a case on a smartphone presented an opportunity to save 50 percent, potentially about $750,000 per year in labor, just to perform this one task. The department created a task-oriented mobile app to provide officers with current case information and enable them to efficiently manage and complete their offender caseload work in the field, enhancing their operational effectiveness while controlling costs. The mobile application allows front-line public safety officers to make better decisions and provide higher quality services. The app will continue to be an evolving product as we enhance functionality for greater officer value.