This document reports on an examination of the impacts of gunshot detection technology in three different U.S. cities, on officer workload and shooting notification response times; it also provides insights from 46 stakeholder interviews that give discuss optimal approaches for investigating shooting notifications and gunshot detection technology program management.
This study explores the impact of gunshot detection technology (GDT) in Denver, CO, Milwaukee, WI, and Richmond, CA, on officer workload and response times to firearm shooting notifications. All three departments experienced a twofold increase of being alerted to shooting incidents following GDT implementation, leading to a two- to threefold increase in staff time allocated to responding to these incidents. Response times to specific events were generally quicker for GDT alerts compared to traditional 911 calls for service regarding shots heard events. However, the time savings are primarily from the duration between notification and assignment of an officer, rather than the actual time taken by officers to arrive at the scene after being assigned. Insights from 46 stakeholder interviews offer optimal approaches for investigating shooting notifications and GDT program management. While GDT programs effectively reduce response times, agencies must anticipate increased workloads and implement specific program characteristics for optimal effectiveness. (Published Abstract Provided)