The Broxton Police Department in Georgia has relied on SmartCOP’s CAD, RMS, and Mobile solutions for several years. When Chief Austin Medders recently stepped into his leadership role, he inherited a system that his agency already depended on daily. His perspective as both a longtime officer and a new chief provides unique insight into how SmartCOP supports departments of all sizes and stages of growth. Strong Support That Builds Confidence
Chief Medders emphasized the importance of reliable, responsive support in his department’s daily operations. He noted that working with SmartCOP’s Software Support Specialist, Jacob, has been a standout experience. Having a resource who communicates clearly, follows through, and genuinely cares about resolving issues has given the department confidence that challenges will be addressed quickly and effectively.
“I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s gotten us out of a jam more than once,” Medders said. “We can call him, and if he doesn’t have the answer in 30 minutes, he’ll find it. That has been a blessing. We’re grateful we’ve got him.”
Integration That Saves Time and Reduces Errors
For Medders, the CAD and 911 integration is one of the most valuable features of using all SmartCOP products throughout their county.
“When our 911 system gets the information, it transfers automatically into our SmartCOP RMS,” he explained. “You don’t have to retype, copy, or paste. That saves us time and prevents mistakes.”
This transfer of data eliminates duplicate entry, reduces human error, and ensures that information is consistent across systems. It also speeds up the reporting process, allowing officers to complete their work more efficiently and return to service sooner. By linking CAD, RMS, and Mobile in a single connected environment, the department benefits from a unified flow of information; dispatchers, officers, and administrators all work from the same data, which strengthens coordination and accountability. The result is fewer gaps in documentation and better resource deployment.
Adapting to Change: New Officers and a New Chief
As a new chief leading a team that has been on SmartCOP for years, Medders has observed how officers at different experience levels use the system. SmartCOP doesn’t require anyone to be a “tech expert” to succeed. For younger officers who have grown up in a digital environment, the system feels second nature and helps them quickly build efficient habits. At the same time, more seasoned officers who spent much of their careers relying on handwritten reports or basic word processors can learn the software without frustration. The workflows follow the logic of how police work actually happens, which makes the transition far less intimidating than with other platforms.
“Our younger officers excel because having a dedicated public safety software system is all they’ve ever known,” he said. “For those of us who came from pen-and-paper or Microsoft Word, there’s a learning curve. But the system is user-friendly, and once you get comfortable, it works.”
The result is a department where every officer, regardless of age or background, can confidently document incidents, file reports, and manage cases. Instead of slowing down operations, the system levels the playing field, allowing new recruits and veterans alike to stay focused on their work in the field rather than wrestling with technology. This balance of intuitive design and practical functionality is one of the key reasons Medders sees SmartCOP as an asset for his department’s day-to-day efficiency.
Overall Satisfaction
Despite the small learning curves, Medders is clear about his view of SmartCOP.
“We’re satisfied. It’s user-friendly, it works, and it supports us the way we need,” he said. “Really, I don’t have a whole lot of complaints. It’s been a good system, and the support has been outstanding.”
Conclusion
For a department that has relied on SmartCOP for years, Chief Medders’ perspective as a new chief reinforces the system’s staying power. From strong support to time-saving integrations, SmartCOP continues to provide the Broxton Police Department with the tools they need to serve their community effectively.
