PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department has earned national recognition for its forward-thinking use of technology to strengthen community service, winning the top honor at the 2025 Versaterm Innovation Awards in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Selected from public safety agencies across North America, Phoenix PD was recognized for its creative and community-driven use of Versaterm technology to enhance communication, improve efficiency, and better support victims of crime.
The department’s CommunityConnect platform, launched in 2024, sends automated updates to 911 callers and crime victims via text and email while collecting real-time feedback through surveys. The system has been praised by residents for improving transparency and engagement.
Phoenix PD also introduced CallTriage, an AI-powered tool that directs non-emergency calls to the right resources, reducing non-emergency call volume by 17% within two months.
In partnership with Versaterm, the department later expanded CommunityConnect to allow sexual assault survivors to securely track the status of their evidence kits online — a first-of-its-kind effort that promotes transparency and empowers survivors with direct access to information.
Department leaders said the award highlights Phoenix’s commitment to continuous improvement and public trust.
“This project shows what can happen when we push the limits of existing tools to serve people better,” said Police Administrator Amanda Markham, who led the implementation. “Innovation solves real problems — and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
