SIAC Solutions Timelier Than Ever During Police Staffing Crisis

Recently, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) noted that public safety agencies across the country continue to face staffing shortages. According to PERF, not long ago, law enforcement agencies typically received more than 100 applicants for every open position. They reported, “Today, most agencies face an increasingly urgent staffing crisis that is very different from ‘the way things used to be.’”

The percentage of police agencies indicating they are having a hard time filling positions has increased from slightly more than 20 percent in 2017 to close to 80 percent in 2022.

“This troubling situation makes SIAC’s proven success in reducing calls for service from alarm systems even more timely,” said SIAC Executive Director Stan Martin. “SIAC offers public safety agencies the ability to continue a vital service the public expects while at the same time putting less strain on limited resources.”

SIAC’s mission is to be the go-to resource for public safety leadership when it comes to the issue of electronic security. It is a proactive approach that makes SIAC top of mind when a law enforcement agency is dealing with alarm issues.

The Model Alarm Ordinance is a framework that communities can modify to best fit their local needs. The Model Alarm Ordinance calls for increasing fines or even curtailing response to the very small percentage of systems that place inordinate demands on public safety agencies. In addition, it mandates multiple contacts with the alarm site prior to contacting public safety agencies.

“It takes many years of consistent attendance and participation at state and national law enforcement meetings to develop relationships and build trust between leaders,” said Martin. “Having the national Model Alarm Ordinance endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police & National Sheriffs’ Association was no small accomplishment. Because of high turnover at the chief level, promoting it to all law enforcement is an ongoing imperative.”

“Since 2002 SIAC has represented our industry’s and customers’ interests and conveyed an attitude of care and cooperation with law enforcement at all levels,” said Kirk MacDowell, SIAC Board Chairman. “SIAC’s credibility comes from a proven record of success of helping law enforcement agencies reduce unnecessary calls for service while maintaining police response.”

The 2022 study, “Assessing the Effectiveness of the Model Alarm Ordinance: A Case Study of Four Law Enforcement Agencies,” provides law enforcement leaders with proven results from multiple public safety agencies. This comprehensive study was conducted by Joe Kuhns, Ph.D., president of the consulting firm K4 Associates, and a professor in the Criminal Justice & Criminology Department at UNC-Charlotte.

“The report demonstrates the savings in manpower and cost savings within agencies that implement and enforce the model ordinance,” said Martin.

According to the PERF study, law enforcement leaders will continue to face the “triple threat” of fewer applicants for public safety positions, more officers leaving the profession and a growing number of current officers reaching retirement age. While public safety agencies are implementing multiple strategies to deal with the issue, it is not expected to be resolved soon.

“Both our industry and the law enforcement profession share the goal of protecting life and property,” said Martin. “There has never been a more important need to assist our law enforcement partners in this effort by helping provide solutions that reduce unnecessary calls for service while continuing to maintain response to alarms.”