Case Study

1. Background & Motivation

For decades, FDC has been aware of the unique risks faced by officers working independently in the community. Randy Agerton shared that the core challenges have remained consistent over time:

“The challenges facing probation officers continue, working alone in dangerous areas and interacting with potentially dangerous individuals, as that is the nature of the business. However, the challenges of not knowing where staff were during a dangerous situation has been a challenge dating back decades.”

While the risks were well understood, it took a national tragedy to bring new urgency to the issue. When a Maryland parole agent, Davis Martinez, was murdered in May 2024, it was a decisive catalyst for FDC to re-evaluate lone-worker safety:

“Unfortunately, the murder of Maryland parole agent Davis Martinez in May 2024 was the catalyst to bring this challenge back the forefront. This gap has been looked at for decades and while there were solutions that could be used, they were cost prohibitive and/or external factors prevented more obvious solutions.”

In searching for a system that could finally close this long-standing safety gap, FDC reviewed a wide range of platforms comparing features, usability, and cost to find a solution that could realistically support

officers across the state more effectively. As Randy noted, the team conducted their research widely:

“The agency conducted numerous reviews of similar platforms via web searches.”

Through this evaluation process, FDC identified OK Alone as the solution that by far most aligned with their operational needs and safety goals.

2. Implementation Experience

FDC approached implementation deliberately, beginning with a statewide pilot. This gave leadership the opportunity to refine internal procedures and ensure the system matched real operational needs.

As Randy explained:

“We were fortunate to have conducted a pilot across the state that allowed us to review and tighten the policies and procedures we started with.”

Officers quickly adapted to the app itself, but the team also discovered that policy and dashboard design mattered just as much as technology:

“There were no concerns about complexity with the worker application, however with the web-portal we found that there was a swing from simple organization to complexity at a granular level. Thankfully simple won the day.”

Behind all of these decisions was a clear purpose—to reassure officers that they were never truly alone:

“We wanted to provide staff with a sense of the agency’s motto, ‘We never walk alone.’ We wanted them to know even if they were by themselves there was a way they could get help if they needed it and a way for us to determine where to send that help.”

We wanted to provide staff with a sense of the agency’s motto, ‘We never walk alone."

Randy Agerton

3. Embedded in Daily Field Operations

OK Alone has become a routine part of how officers manage their safety in the field. Whether conducting home visits, meeting with offenders, or traveling between locations, officers start a session whenever they begin community-based work. This daily practice ensures supervisors always have a clear picture of who is in the field and when support may be needed.

As of June 2025, there were approximately 2100 workers using the application. The expectation for consistent use is straightforward and well understood, as Randy explained:

“Officers are required to initiate a session whenever they are in the community and interacting with offenders, regardless of time of day.”

While the system has not yet been activated for a true emergency, it has proven useful in prompting several welfare checks:

“Thankfully we have not had an actual incident. We have had several ‘welfare checks’ conducted by local law enforcement.”

These everyday interactions — routine check-ins, ongoing visibility, and occasional welfare verifications — have helped make OK Alone a steady and reliable presence in officers’ work lives.

4. Impact on Staff & Safety Culture

Officer response to OK Alone has been extremely positive. Many officers remark on how easy it is to use, and early concerns about complexity never materialized. Some officers shared that both they — and their families — feel better knowing OK Alone is always running in the background. To build engagement, OK Alone became a standard point during staff meetings in the rollout:

“OK Alone was a required agenda item during staff meetings during rollout and shortly after to encourage and drive participation.”

When asked about whether they acknowledge the monthly safety awards FDC

commented that they celebrate each month’s Safety Award winners, often discussing creative recognition options:

“Of course, they [Safety Awards] are provided to executive, regional, and circuit leadership. There was discussion on how best to celebrate these achievements in a creative way, such as, not having to carry supervisor duties for a month, or the best car in the fleet for the month.”

FDC’s focus on communication, recognition, and regular discussion helped embed OK Alone into everyday culture. By highlighting successes and reinforcing its purpose during staff meetings, the department strengthened officer confidence and built a shared understanding that safety is a collective priority supported by real tools and real commitment.

5. Management & Oversight

Supervisors have gained much clearer visibility into officer activity since implementing OK Alone. The reporting tools allow leadership to see what’s happening across the entire chain—from frontline officers to regional command—which has made it easier to spot issues early and often resolve them before they escalate. When asked whether OK Alone had improved oversight in this way, Randy confirmed the impact:

“Very much so, the reporting out of OK Alone allows for visibility from top to bottom and issues are usually self resolved because of it.”

FDC was intentional about defining how oversight tools like the live map would be used. The agency emphasized that OK Alone is a safety tool — not a performance monitoring tool:

“During the initial rollout and implementation the focus and command intent was that this was to be a safety application and that unless there was a serious incident, that OK Alone, would not be solely used to investigate an employee.”

FDC’s clear communication around purpose and expectations helped reinforce trust during rollout. By positioning OK Alone strictly as a safety resource — while still benefiting from its ability to support operational accuracy — the department ensured the system was adopted with confidence and transparency.

6. Outcomes & Reflections

Since adopting OK Alone, FDC has seen meaningful and measurable improvements across Community Corrections. The department moved from having no formal system at all to having a structured, reliable process that supports officers throughout their day. Compliance has risen sharply, supervisors receive real-time alerts, and manual administration has been reduced. Officers have shared that they feel more supported, and the program has even drawn national interest from other states.

Beyond these operational wins, one of the biggest insights came from the visibility OK Alone provided into how much time officers actually spend in the field. As Randy explained:

“What has surprised us most about OK Alone’s impact is how clearly it revealed the true amount of time our probation officers spend in the community. We always knew officers were active in the field, but the data showed they are out far more often than anticipated. On average, officers are in the field for all but about eight hours a month.”

“Seeing this level of community presence captured so accurately has reinforced how essential a reliable safety system is for our staff. OK Alone has given us a clearer

picture of daily operations and has shown just how critical it is to have real-time oversight and support for officers who spend nearly their entire work month outside the office.”

This new clarity also strengthened confidence at the leadership level. Supervisors and senior staff now have dependable, real-time insight into officer safety and activity that simply wasn’t possible before. Randy described the shift:

“OK Alone has significantly increased leadership confidence by giving us real time visibility into officer safety and field activity, something we did not have before. Leaders now have a dependable system that verifies officer status, documents field operations, and provides immediate alerts when assistance is needed. This level of transparency has strengthened our ability to make informed decisions and support staff more effectively.”

The visibility provided by OK Alone has also reshaped how other departments—and even

6. Outcomes & Reflections cont.

external partners —view the work of Community Corrections. The system has helped quantify the risks, volume, and professionalism of officers’ daily duties in a way that was not previously documented:

“It has also improved inter departmental perceptions. Other areas of the Department, and even external partners, now have a clearer understanding of how often probation officers are in the community and the inherent risks involved.

The consistent data and documented field presence have elevated the professionalism of Community Corrections and demonstrated that we are operating with modern safety standards. This has helped reinforce trust, respect, and recognition for the demanding work our officers perform every day.”

Together, these outcomes reflect a broader transformation: OK Alone has not only supported individual officers — it has helped strengthen confidence, accountability, and understanding across the entire department.

The consistent data and documented field presence have elevated the professionalism of Community Corrections and demonstrated that we are operating with modern safety standards."

Randy Agerton

7. Broader Impact & Advice

The introduction of OK Alone has had a ripple effect far beyond day-to-day operations. Officers’ families, colleagues in other departments, and even former employees have all commented on the added reassurance the system brings. Their feedback reflects how deeply the program has influenced perceptions of safety and support across the organization. As Randy shared:

“We have received positive feedback from both officer families and other departments regarding the added safety that OK Alone provides. Families have expressed that they feel more at ease knowing there is now a formal safety system in place that immediately alerts supervisors if something is wrong. Many have shared that the peace of mind alone has been a major improvement, especially for those whose loved ones routinely conduct home visits or work in rural areas.”

Other parts of the agency have also taken notice. With clearer data on how frequently officers are in the field — and the risks that come with that work — there is now a stronger appreciation for the demands placed on Community Corrections. Randy noted that this recognition has come not only from within the department but from those who previously worked in these roles:

“Other departments within the agency have also commented on the

enhanced safety measures. They recognize that Community Corrections staff are in the field far more often than most people realize, and OK Alone has demonstrated that we are taking a proactive, modern approach to keeping our officers safe.

"This sentiment has also been echoed by several former employees. When they learned about the Lone Worker program, many stated they wish this level of protection and oversight had been available when they were officers. Their reaction reinforces the value of the system and highlights how significant this advancement is for officer safety.”

7. Broader Impact & Advice cont.

reaction reinforces the value of the system and highlights how significant this advancement is for officer safety.”

Randy also offered guidance for other Departments of Corrections considering a lone-worker solution. His recommendations underscore the importance of leadership, clarity, and flexibility:

Executive buy in is absolutely critical, as well as clear command intent.
Clearly determine how you want the system used, how alerts are to be addressed and by who, and be prepared to change all of it to fit actual operational needs. The key is flexibility with planning and implementation.
The timing of the training needs to closely sync with the go live date.

Together, this feedback paints a picture of a program that is not only effective but deeply valued by those it protects—and by those who support them.

When they learned about the Lone Worker program, many stated they wish this level of protection and oversight had been available when they were officers. "

Randy Agerton

Conclusion

The Florida Department of Corrections’ adoption of OK Alone marks a significant step forward in protecting officers who work independently across the state. What began as a response to long-standing safety challenges — and renewed urgency after a national tragedy — has evolved into a comprehensive, department-wide system that strengthens oversight, builds confidence, and enhances daily operations.

Through careful planning, a statewide pilot, clear communication, and a focus on simplicity, FDC successfully embedded OK Alone into the fabric of Community Corrections. Officers now have a dependable safety net that supports them in the field, families feel reassured knowing help is always within reach, and supervisors can respond more quickly and effectively when concerns arise. The data provided by the system has not only improved check-in compliance and emergency responsiveness but has also revealed the true extent of the demanding work probation officers perform every day.

Leadership now has visibility that simply didn’t exist before, and other departments — along with external partners and former staff — have recognized the professionalism and modern safety standards FDC has put in place. The department’s experience demonstrates how a well-implemented lone-worker solution can do more than protect staff; it can transform culture, strengthen accountability, and elevate understanding of frontline work across the entire organization.

FDC’s journey with OK Alone shows what is possible when technology, clear intent, and organizational commitment come together: a safer, more supportive environment where no officer truly walks alone.