2. Police Technology
Major technology applications
1. Database and information technology
• Computerized systems that operate like a card-file index and
allow the police to store large amounts of information from a
variety of sources
2. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD)
• Reduce officer confusion, send clear messages instantaneously
to officers’ mobile computers, keep officers safe, prioritize calls
for serves
3. Records management systems
• Used to input and organize information from different types of
reports in an easy-to-access format
4. Mobile computing
• Primary mechanism used by officers to access and deposit
information
• Eliminates all the paper generated by reports
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3. The Use of Technology in the Field
COMPSTAT
Provides timely data on crime and disorder by neighborhood
Early Intervention (EI) Systems
An application of personnel records management for the purpose
of increasing the accountability of police officers
License Plate Readers
Installed on police vehicles and fixed sites such as traffic
intersections
Five potential uses:
•
•
•
•
•
1. Crime analysis
2. Alerts and hot lists
3. Tracking individuals
4. Identifying previously undetected crimes
5. Revenue generation
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4. The Future of Police Information
Technology
Technology to increase information sharing
between law enforcement agencies
National Crime Information Center (NCIC) of
the FBI
Global Justice XML Data Model (GJXDM)
Allows criminal justice agencies to maintain their
information in a standardized language
Automated Regional Justice Information
System (ARJIS)
Increased effectiveness and job performance at the
San Diego sheriff’s department
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5. Technologically Advanced
Weapons
Taser: An acronym for Tom Swift’s Electric Rifle.
Introduced in early 1975, designed as a non-lethal
weapon resembling a handgun.
Once the trigger is depressed, two small barbed
contacts trailing fine conducting wires are shot from
one of the cassettes along the line of aim into the
target.
The dart-like contacts need not actually touch the
skin. If the darts are imbedded in clothing, the
electrical charge is capable of reaching the body,
since the Taser provides a 1½-inch spark from its
high-voltage power supply.
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6. Crime Analysis
Functions
Collect, Analyze,
Disseminate CrimeRelated Data
Identify crime-suspect
correlations
Support Patrol Officers
Assist Investigations
Identify conditions that
facilitate crime and
incivility
Types
Tactical Crime Analysis
• Involves identification of
specific crime problems in
particular geographic areas
Strategic Crime Analysis
• Focuses on long-term crime
trends
Administrative
• Provides summary statistics
and data to police
managers
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7. Crime Mapping
Permits analysts to identify spatial
patterns and hot spots for different types
of crime
About 13% of police departments use crime
mapping
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is allocating
substantial resources toward promoting the
use of crime mapping at police agencies
around the country
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8. The Outlook for Police
Employment
Opportunities in Local, County, and State Law
Enforcement
Local, County, and State Salaries
Average annual salary of $49,980 in 2010
Detectives make around $68,820 annually
Opportunities in Federal Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Federal Salaries
FBI agents begin at $61,000-70,000 a year
Salaries of most federal law enforcement officers is
determined by the General Schedule (GS) pay system
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9. The Future of Police Research
Research Revolution
Product of large investment of funds, mostly from
federal government, into scientific research
Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA)
Does Research Do Any Good?
Yes!
Kansas City Preventative Patrol Experiment found that
increasing level of patrol did not deter crime more
effectively than normal amount of patrol
Rand Corporation study found that traditional detective
work did not increase number of crimes solved
The Future of Federal Funding
Very uncertain, varies year to year
Poses a serious threat for the future of American police
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10. Demographic Change
Immigration Trends
Hispanics/Latinos
Other Groups
The New Minority: Hispanic/Latino
Population
Potential Problems and Conflicts
What laws do you think should be passed?
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11. Impact of the War on Terrorism
Foreign Policy
Domestic Policy
Role Expansion
Immigration Enforcement
Racial & Ethnic Profiling
Personnel Shortages
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12. Role Expansion
Investigating suspected terrorists
Preparing for and responding to specific
terrorist acts
Preparing for possible terrorist acts
involving weapons of mass destruction
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13. Racial and Ethnic Profiling
War on terrorism
has lead to increased
stereotypes about Arab Americans
As a result, Department of Justice created
a four-hour cultural competency course to
educate local and federal law enforcement
officers about Arab and Muslim culture
and customs
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14. Personnel Changes
Post 9/11:
Mobilization of National Guard and military
reserves led to loss of personnel
• Especially detrimental to small agencies
Increasing demands to fulfill homeland
security needs
• Leading to diversion from regular patrol
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