On 9 January 2026 in Vilnius, the event “Last Mile to Innovation: From Challenges to Wins” brought together law enforcement, security practitioners, RTOs’, and technology developers to address one of the most persistent challenges in EU security innovation: right-targeted innovation to solve real user problems. The LEAD-PRO project was presented as a concrete example of how innovation can successfully progress from an identified operational need to a deployable solution when law enforcement end-users are involved throughout the entire lifecycle. The presentation, delivered from a Lithuanian Police perspective, demonstrated how LEAD-PRO addresses real challenges in public security, disaster management, and mass-event coordination.
LEAD-PRO provides a unified operational platform supporting command and control, situational awareness, and inter-agency coordination by integrating data from cameras, drones, sensors, and mobile devices into a single operational picture.
The event presentation went beyond technology, focusing on lessons learned during the innovation uptake process: ensuring usability for non-technical personnel, integrating new tools into existing legal and procedural frameworks, aligning with IT and cybersecurity requirements, and preparing organisations through training and change management.
The LEAD-PRO case illustrated that even technically mature solutions may fail without attention to organisational readiness and integration, sustainability or maintenance aspects. By openly addressing these challenges, the project contributed valuable insights into what law enforcement agencies need to consider when operationalise innovative digital solutions. The discussion reinforced the importance of in advance planning, early engagement of key stakeholders, and continuous feedback loops between innovators and practitioners.
