Drones-as-First-Responder: The Dirtiest Market in Police Tech?

 


Arguably dirtier than the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) market... is the Drones-as-First-Responder (DFR) market. 

Public safety, and particularly law enforcement, has always relied on competitive markets to procure its equipment; very few things are made "in-house." Consider: police cars, radios, uniforms, guns, typewriters, riot shields, office chairs, computers, fax machines, orange traffic cones, bulletproof vests, handcuffs... 

But when you analyze the software and technology market... it's different. Much different. It's dirty as hell. 

And the slimiest of them: the DFR oligopoly. 

  • Gratuities to chiefs & executives
  • Lobbying, legislation, and propaganda campaigns
  • Exaggerated claims of product performance
  • Closed architecture; proprietary access; joint ventures
  • Marketing campaigns enticing government endorsement
  • Job recruitment from your government customer base 
  • Pressure to sign and enter into extended leasing/service contracts
  • Questionable vendor relationships with the FAA

The newest observation is the battle of drone size. Is it better to have a large drone with a great camera? or a fleet of tiny drones with shitty cameras? This development isn't dirty... it's just amusing to watch this unfold. It's natural when you have a horrible camera, you highlight something else (like buying MORE drones to make up for it). And when you have a great-but-heavy camera, you tend to not talk about loiter time or battery life. 

There is no other category in public safety technology that is driving or building an oligopolistic tech market like that of drones. This is where we are really seeing integration obstacles and division! Which is why the government choice on which DFR vendor to purchase/lease is such an impactful decision, with far-reaching consequences. Many of these consequences extending beyond the retirements of the contract-awarding police chiefs and command staff.

Business is business. Competition is healthy. Profits and investor/shareholder value matter. This post isn't written for the vendors.

This is for the government decision-makers. To get a better understand the industry, the ploys, the traps, the tradeoffs, the unspoken, the total cost of ownership, the vendors who don't buy your airfare or hotel rooms..... yep, I said it. 

In the end, you've gotta make a selection and award some company with your contract. I'm just not sure why we are so excited to advertise for our suppliers... I don't get that part. 

As a general reminder when you, as a police chief or program manager, feel the urge to post on social media or make a press release, there is literally NO legitimate reason why you need to tag your vendor, your salesman, your customer success lady... You never do this when you're buying squad cars,  or office equipment. [Wait, some of you actually are doing this for office equipment... ]

In summary: Try to not get any on ya'.

***

The author holds a business degree, which from time to time, he attempts to highlight.... by way of discussing business strategy, marketing campaigns, competition, and market trends in the police technology industry/market. He's a business hack, and self-proclaims to be a better policeman than finance bro. 

***

Lou Hayes, Jr. is a detective supervisor in a suburban Chicago police department, collaterally detailed to a regional major crimes (homicide) task force.  He has a passion for multi-jurisdictional crime patterns, criminal networks, & regional intelligence. With a background in training, he studies human performance, decision-making, creativity, emotional intelligence, & adaptability. 

Follow Lou on LinkedIn, & also the LinkedIn page for The Illinois Model. ***


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