How a Law Enforcement Fleet Went from #95 to #1 in the 100 Best Fleets
This article is based on a recent episode of The Fleet Success Show podcast. Watch the episode below:
If you're a fleet manager wondering how to prove your in-house operation's value, boost team morale, and elevate your fleet performance year after year, this story is for you.
In a recent episode of the Fleet Success Show, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Fleet Manager Jeffrey Hawthorne shared the blueprint that took his agency's fleet from #95 to #1 on the 100 Best Fleets list. Spoiler: It wasn't luck. It was metrics, consistency, leadership, and relentless improvement.
The Power of the Application
The 100 Best Fleets application isn't just a contest entry. It's a comprehensive, 12-category audit of your fleet's operations, covering everything from PM compliance to intentional culture. Most fleet managers realize during their first attempt that they can't fully answer the questions, and that's the point.
This process forces awareness, action, and accountability. Hawthorne calls it "the roadmap to success," and it's been the foundation of their growth strategy for over a decade. Even if you never make the list, the value of doing the application lies in the visibility it creates into your operations.
Metrics That Matter Most
Hawthorne doesn't just preach the value of data. He lives it. His team tracks eight to ten core fleet metrics regularly. The most important? Preventive Maintenance (PM) Compliance.
"PM compliance is your number one metric. A cop car breaking down in pursuit is a news flash."
Here are the metrics that help Jeffrey lead a high-performing, award-winning fleet:
- PM Compliance: Weekly review with a 95%+ target
- Turnaround Time: Measured to drive faster asset availability
- Technician Productivity: Benchmarked and reviewed to identify training opportunities
- KPI Trends: Month-over-month improvements tied to the 100 Best Fleets scoring
He even turned the application’s metrics into a monthly report for his leadership team. That accountability helped transform how the fleet measured and responded to key areas of performance.
Leadership That Drives Improvement
One of the most powerful themes of the episode is leadership. Jeffrey doesn't shy away from change. In fact, he demands it.
"Status quo is not allowed here. If someone says, 'This is stupid,' I want them to come tell me. And I’ll probably agree."
He also believes in empowering his team:
"Hire smart people so they can tell you what to do. Don’t hire smart people and then tell them what to do."
That mindset has helped his team stay focused, committed, and innovative, year after year.
The Real ROI of Recognition
Fleet leaders often underestimate what making the 100 Best Fleets list can do for their credibility and influence. For the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, it wasn’t just a win. It was a turning point.
- Increased Credibility: Internally and with vendors
- Higher Morale: Employees check rankings before Jeffrey does
- Continuous Improvement: The drive to win fuels innovation
"Every year when we find out our rank, it’s an instant morale booster. And every year, we want to do better."
Why You Need the Right Tools
Achieving and sustaining elite performance isn't possible without the right systems. RTA’s fleet maintenance management system provides the real-time visibility, metric tracking, and operational control needed to:
- Maximize technician productivity
- Monitor PM compliance in real time
- Automate reporting and reduce admin work
- Keep assets safe and available
From BI dashboards to configurable reports, RTA gives public sector and enterprise fleets the tools to continuously improve while protecting their ability to maintain assets in-house.
Final Word:
"Number one doesn’t mean perfect. It means we never stop improving."
Whether you're managing a government fleet or trying to modernize a large enterprise operation, consistent application of metrics, leadership accountability, and the right software for fleet maintenance are your path to success.
Start always. Measure everything. And never stop improving.