Branson police go live on new CAD/RMS, expand dispatch and trafficking operations

Branson police briefed the Board on technology and staffing initiatives, including the department’s go‑live with a ProPhoenix CAD/RMS system, planned dispatch upgrades, and a federal trafficking task‑force position.

Police Commander Schmidt said the department’s new CAD/RMS will give officers real‑time crime analysis dashboards and return an online crime map to the public, integrated with NIBRS reporting. “The system is actually going to do that for them,” he said, describing dashboards for crime analysis, report generation and inventory tracking.

Schmidt said the new civilian landing page and crime‑map features should be available to the public within about 30 days, and that the system will serve as a force multiplier by replacing manual spreadsheets. The department also presented a dispatch modernization plan that includes five new console stations in the water‑tower facility to improve working conditions and help with dispatcher recruitment and retention.

On enforcement, Schmidt described a newly funded task‑force officer placed with Homeland Security to support human‑trafficking investigations. “It gives us the opportunity to file a case, either state or federal,” he said, explaining the position will expand training, data access and prosecution options through federal partnerships. He also noted ongoing local operations that coordinate with advocacy groups to approach prostitution and trafficking cases while offering services to potential victims.

Board members praised the transparency afforded by the new public reporting tools and asked about staffing. Schmidt said patrol staffing is strong, a certified officer is entering the academy and the department is recruiting dispatchers; he said the new dispatch center should improve working conditions for recruitment.

The board received the report; no formal action was required.