Public Safety and Justice Technology Expenditures

This technical report discusses the expenditures of U.S. state and local governments on public safety and justice (PS&J) technology, which exceed $5 billion annually. It outlines the critical role that technology plays in enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and safety of public safety systems. The report identifies key PS&J agencies, such as public safety answering points (PSAPs), law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services (EMS), and courts, detailing their responsibilities in managing emergency responses. It describes the four stages of the incident response workflow: preincident, incident discovery and response, postincident management, and the legal process. The report emphasizes the importance of technology solutions that support these agencies throughout their operations, including incident management, communication, and evidence handling. Additionally, it highlights trends affecting the PS&J technology market, such as labor shortages, increased funding, and the shift to cloud-based solutions, which are driving agencies to modernize their operations.