Header Image: The Windsor Police BI Team stands together – from left to right; Samson Tse, Jennifer Piasecka, Karen Kaschak, Judy Garritano, Angelo Bortolin, Agripino Hernandez, Jeremy Coulter, Sean McFadden, Sgt. Shawn Diotte, Jin Xie, Alex Martin.
Good results start with good data, a fact known all too well in public safety. For over 100 years, ethically sourcing accurate information has been a core part of policing. In 2025, technology has transformed the process but not the purpose. This is especially true for the Windsor Police Service, which has taken a future forward approach to the changing information landscape – building systems that help deliver the results our community deserves.
Building Foundational Data Management Systems
The first step in that journey was a proactive approach to data storage and management. This meant creating a secure, large-scale system that could keep information organized and safe for the long term. Samson Tse, Manager of Business Solutions, recalls how the data storage project paved the way for future programs;
“Building our enterprise data warehouse created the solid foundation needed for a modern analytics program, enabling the Windsor Police Service to unify information, accelerate insights, and support evidence-based decision-making across the organization.”
As data storage technology got better, information became easier to access – leading to a growing interest in advanced analytics. It didn’t take long for these insights made a big difference. Leaders began asking for reports and metrics tailored to their needs, driving continuous improvement and helping to hold themselves accountable.
Deputy Chief Karel DeGraaf shows a completed analytics dashboard to Sgt. Shawn Diotte.
“Data only becomes truly powerful when paired with the people who understand the work,”
Today, analytics are delivered by a world-class Business Intelligence (BI) program. One way this is done is through developing dynamic dashboards which visualize metrics and allow real-time monitoring. The process starts with understanding the needs of their internal “customer”, exploring how reports will be used in practice. Then, the BI team and the customer work side by side to build the best tool for the job.
Alongside the growth of the program there’s been a strong focus on data literacy. It’s not enough to share analytics; teams need to understand what the numbers mean and how to use them in a meaningful way. So far, the initiative has been highly successful, creating a strong foundation for collaboration between staff across departments.
“Data only becomes truly powerful when paired with the people who understand the work,” says Sergeant Shawn Diotte, “and our focus on continuous engagement and data literacy ensures that the operational experts can shape meaningful metrics that reflect the realities of our operations.”
Collaboration Powered by Technology
Teamwork isn’t limited to internal partnerships – the BI team is able to support collaboration with outside partners as well. For example, working with City planners to make roads safer by using data to better understand where and why collisions may happen.
Sgt. Shawn Diotte showcases how officers might securely access data through a terminal in their police vehicles.
Windsor Police’s commitment to innovation has created something unique in the world of public safety. The BI program is an invaluable part of the organization, offering the type of bird’s eye view that few institutions are afforded – Deputy Chief Karel DeGraaf is optimistic about the programs’ future;
“Our modern business analytics program has fundamentally transformed how we operate, giving the Windsor Police Service the real-time insight and strategic clarity we need to deploy resources more effectively and keep our community safer.”
Meaningful, stress free change starts with engaging your team in collaborative communication. Find out how CWE can facilitate the those conversations by learning more about membership today.
