ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the critical areas of public safety and emergency management in cities. Within a city's organizational structure, police departments typically either sit alone or in a department of public safety, along with the fire department. Police departments are different from other city agencies in that they are organized and run according to a quasi-military hierarchical model, in which officers wear uniforms, have military-like ranks, and are expected to have military-like discipline within their ranks. Careful screening of new personnel and training are critical to developing strong police and fire departments. One of the most important areas of training and policy for any police force is on the use of force, to reduce the number of cases of citizen and officer injury and death. One important technological tool in today's policing arena is data analysis, visualization, and mapping.
