The Future of Public Safety Tech: Fewer Devices, Better Connectivity

At this year's BAPCO panel discussion, one key theme stood out to me: the push to reduce the number of devices frontline professionals rely on while ensuring seamless connectivity.

Across emergency services, policing, and healthcare, technology plays a vital role—but the growing number of devices can create complexity rather than efficiency. The conversation around device consolidation and connectivity highlighted the challenges and opportunities in this space.

Too Many Devices, Not Enough Integration

Jason Somerville, Communications and Telemetry at South Central Ambulance, noted the potential for wearables in emergency response, explaining:

“Imagine a scenario where a paramedic arrives at the scene of an unconscious patient. If we could interrogate their smartwatch, we might gain insights—heart rate data, oxygen levels, or even signs of a previous cardiac event—that could help us act faster.”

This idea of leveraging existing consumer devices rather than introducing more dedicated hardware is an interesting shift. But, as several panellists pointed out, privacy concerns and data security must be addressed before widespread adoption.

Connectivity as a Non-Negotiable

The discussion also reinforced something we all know: connectivity isn’t just important—it’s essential. Without it, even the best technology is useless. Heidi Clever, Head of Technical Infrastructure at HM Passport Office Technology Team, emphasised this point when discussing maritime communications:

“There are trials ongoing with emergency locator beacons that enable two-way communication. That kind of connectivity improvement could be a game-changer.”

It’s a reminder that access to real-time information can be the difference between life and death. Whether it's a police officer needing immediate intelligence or a firefighter accessing building layouts on the move, the technology has to work when it’s needed most.

Why Does Tech Adoption Take So Long?

One frustration that surfaced was the slow pace of technology adoption in public safety. Stephen Russell, Director of Data, Strategy & Technology at Warwickshire Police, made an insightful point about the difference between public sector organisations and criminals:

“Criminals don’t have procurement processes. They don’t have to follow security standards or policies. They just adopt new technology immediately.”

Meanwhile, in public safety, stringent procurement rules, risk-averse cultures, and budget constraints often delay the rollout of new tools. Gillian Fyfe, Strategic Digital, Technology and Cyber Lead at NCCF, summed it up well:

“There are so many new things out there—you can’t do it all. You have to work out what will bring real outcomes and focus on those.”

That’s a crucial point. With limited budgets and resources, organisations need to prioritise solutions that will have the most impact, rather than chasing the next shiny thing.

Final Thoughts: Less is More

One clear takeaway from this discussion is that technology in public safety should be about simplification, not complication. The more streamlined and connected our tools are, the better they’ll serve those on the frontline.

The challenge now? Moving from discussion to action.

What do you think? Are emergency services and public sector organisations moving fast enough when it comes to adopting new technology?