Opening Doors: Preferred’s Formula for Evidence-Based, Modern Law Enforcement Risk Management
Posted
August 19, 2025
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In the world of law enforcement risk management, there’s an uncomfortable truth everyone knows but rarely discusses: traditional loss control approaches simply aren’t working. Loss Control consultants often can’t get meetings or sustained engagement with command staff. Well-intentioned training programs get deployed across entire pools because of one bad incident, regardless of whether agencies actually need them. And when asked to show ROI on loss control investments, the best answer has typically been “trust us—we think it helps.”
But what if there was a better way?
What if, instead of pushing generic compliance programs, risk pools could bring police chiefs evidence-based practices proven to reduce officer injuries and liability claims? What if, like Billy Beane’s Oakland A’s competing against teams with bigger budgets, pools could use analytics to “win an unfair game”? That’s exactly what happened when Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust partnered with Benchmark Analytics and their iMPACT solution, transforming not just their approach to risk management, but also fundamentally changing how they engage with their 70 law enforcement members.
Kevin Meehan has been in public entity insurance since 1997, and his experience with Benchmark Analytics revealed transformative results for Preferred and its 70 law enforcement members:
1. They Finally Got Through Previously Closed Doors
“The iMPACT program has really already helped us get in the door with several of our members with whom we previously, had no relationship.” Even more powerful: “The interviews with command staff have really helped both the risk management contacts, our loss control consultants, and law enforcement command staff communicate and collaborate with each other often for the first time.”
2. They Addressed the Real Crisis: Time and Resources
Kevin articulated the core challenge: “Seeing the pressures and challenges that our law enforcement members face every day, often in an adverse social climate… How could they possibly have the time and the resources to adequately address critical issues like wellness, recruiting and retaining quality individuals, fixing problems with auto collisions or crashes and a host of other issues?” Benchmark’s program provided targeted solutions to these overwhelming demands.
3. Evidence-Based Practices Replaced Guesswork
“Benchmark’s evidence-based practices really help our members overcome a lot of the challenges I’ve just described. And it really helps them to be able to get the most out of things like body-worn cameras, when they do after-action reviews, helps them with issues they may have with auto crashes, vehicle crashes, et cetera.” This wasn’t theory—it was proven practices from top performers.
4. The Results Spoke for Themselves
“We’ve received positive feedback from command staff, from our risk management contacts at our member organizations regarding the Benchmark program, and we love hearing those testimonials.” Kevin finds that iMPACT helps them forge or deepen relationships with command staff by bringing evidence-based research and actionable recommendations that help address their member command staff’s strategic priorities. This approach allows Preferred’s risk managers to elevate relationships to that of welcomed partners in solving critical challenges.
5. They’re Building for Long-Term Success
“This isn’t a one-year process,” Kevin emphasized. “Just like anything else, being successful in risk management endeavors really means changing behaviors and changing practices for desired outcomes.” With plans to “do more interviews, get more surveys completed, and help more of our member law enforcement agencies,” Preferred is committed to continuous improvement with the iMPACT program: “We’re pleased with the process, and again, we’re optimistic about what we’ll accomplish.”
The Bottom Line
Preferred now has a proven pathway to meaningful partnerships. As Kevin put it: “Benchmark is really helping us to get to what works and what works for our clients and what works for our pool.”
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iMPACT® Benchmark Risk Solutions®?
Our innovative solution integrates our deep law enforcement expertise, the industry’s largest database on officer behavior, and powerful analytics. We enable pools and their members to drive measurable improvements in the well-being and safety of officers, agencies, and the communities they serve.
*This blog post was generated with the help of artificial intelligence.
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