CIO Leadership for Public Safety Communications

Book excerpt: This a must-read for all managers seeking to better understand the latest trends and practices in the public technology field and how the issue of governance and technology leadership can best be addressed. Do not be fooled by the term “CIO Leadership” in the book's title, as this book is as much about public safety communication leadership as it is about technology and the evolving nature of governance. Technology, regardless of its sophistication, is nothing more than a set of tools requiring some form of leadership to take advantage of what it does and how it can be best used. Someone, however qualified and regardless of rank and title in the public safety organization or government structure, is in charge of technology. Many excellent books have been written about specific parts of public safety communications such as radios, interoperability, leadership, Next Gen 911, GIS, the integration of voice data and video systems, and even social media. Until now, no one book has attempted to look at the entire mix and provide a larger framework, from multiple authors, for better understanding the latest thoughts and trends in this critical area that affects millions of lives each day. Working with APCO International, Dr. Shark chose to focus on local governments as the primary innovator in this sector. After all, this is where innovation and experimentation takes place. The special foreword by Harvard University's Zach Tumin and William J. Bratton, former chief of police in Los Angeles and former Commissioner of Police in New York City and Boston, who together have authored their own book, “Collaborate or Perish”, provides for an excellent framework for getting the most out of this book.