Microsoft Industry Digital Forum
The Future of Public Safety

Creating safer communities is a universal goal, but what happens when delivering services puts everyone involved at risk? The COVID-19 pandemic created unforeseen challenges for public safety and justice agencies, driving them to find ways to enable their staff to work remotely by providing secure access to sensitive systems.

The result: agencies are embracing digital transformation to empower staff to work remotely, when possible, and to continue operations as safely as possible. As they do so, departments are also uncovering new capabilities, efficiencies, and cost savings. This new way of operating, although born out of necessity, is proving to be an effective way of serving people and communities.

Hear from other public safety & justice organizations as they discuss embracing digital transformation to enable staff to work remotely, empower collaboration, and build community trust and engagement.

Host and Moderator: Kirk Arthur, Sr. Director, Business Development, Worldwide Public Safety & Justice, Microsoft

Panelist:

• Brent Dyer, Executive Director, Calgary Police Service
• Budge Currier, California Office of Emergency Service, State of California
• Kirk Lonbom, Director, Public Safety and Justice Strategy, US State and Local Government, Microsoft

Speakers

Brent Dyer, Executive Director, Information Technology & Infrastructure Division, Calgary Police Service Brent Dyer currently works for the Calgary Police Service as the Executive Director of the Information Technology & Infrastructure Division (IMTD). Dyer has invested 25 years into transforming police business through innovative IT solutions. He previously held the position of Director of Information Technology for nine years before securing his current role. A strategic thinker and planner, Dyer leads the IMTD team in the advancement of information technology in a changing and uncertain environment. Dyer’s combination of strategic IT thinking and in-depth knowledge of policing allow for a unique and rare opportunity to provide measurable impact for CPS members and Calgary citizens. Dyer achieves this by leading diverse teams through the strategic alignment of data-driven technology services.

Budge Currier, 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Branch Manager, California Governer’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Since 2011 Budge has served with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). In his current role as the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Branch Manager, Budge is responsible for the 9-1-1 Network that supports 438 PSAPs with an annual call volume of 27 million 9-1-1 calls and he manages the Emergency Communications Division, which coordinates the deployment of broadband services and the Tactical Communications Unit that provides communications coordination and response statewide. Budge also serves as the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) for California and is responsible for the California Emergency Support Function 2 (ESF-2 – Communications) supporting public safety and emergency communications response efforts.

Kirk Lonbom, Director, Public Safety and Justice Strategy, US State and Local Government, Microsoft Kirk Lonbom has four decades of experience in state and local government with the majority of his career focused on public safety. Kirk began his career as a police officer, serving in uniform, investigations, undercover and intelligence roles and leadership. His transition from on the street experience to public safety technologist and strategist includes service as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Illinois State Police, CIO for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Illinois’ first statewide Chief Information Security Officer. Kirk retired from government service in 2018 after serving as the CIO and cabinet level Secretary for the State of Illinois. At Microsoft, Kirk helps to drive national strategy and business development for public safety and justice.

Kirk Arthur, Sr. Director, Worldwide Government Industry, Public Safety and Justice, Microsoft Kirk Arthur is the leader of Worldwide Public Safety and Justice for Microsoft, with responsibility over experts that serve the public safety & justice communities. He has over 18 years of experience as a federal and municipal law enforcement official in the United States. In this role, Kirk is responsible for all aspects of the business, including the development and adoption of Microsoft technology solutions in public safety and justice that enable positive and productive outcomes of mission requirements. He is passionate about the safety and security of citizens in the global community, as well as working with customers around the world to achieve their mission goals using Microsoft’s technology.