LAW ENFORCEMENT

Advances in Technology in Law Enforcement

Advances in Technology in Law Enforcement

Introduction

Advance in information technology has occurred at an extra ordinary rate, over the last decade. These technologies hold a significant perception in the mind of users of different fields. The technological progress is increasing day by day, thus making the life, very competitive, efficient and resourceful. Not only in individual level but also at the organizational level both business and social. In the very similar way, advancement in technology also impacts the law enforcement agencies in different ways. This paper will highlight the technologies currently being implemented by the law enforcement agencies, and the technologies that might be implemented in future. These technologies can prove to be a force multiplier which improves effectiveness, efficiency, and office safety in a variety of ways.

Discussion

With advances in technology we see new and scary ways criminals commit crimes. With the introduction of cell phones and scanners years ago, criminals could listen to police radio traffic and see where and how we police were responding. No need for “look outs”, technology became the look out. Now in the computer age we see crimes from identity theft and hacking into computers to steal personal and corporate confidential information to cyber stalking and sexual predating to cell phone cloning. Criminals have a whole new playground and the playground as technology advances. But technology is not just for criminals. Law enforcement agencies are using technology to make police work more effective and efficient. Also police and communities are also using technology to make their communities safer.

In law enforcement organization, use of information technology is made in order to provide support for police work in numerous ways such as use of different tools for analyzing data such as geographic information systems and recording crimes in databases. Law enforcement agencies are expected to have and utilize the finest technology available to conduct investigations, protect citizens, respond to crises and prevent crimes (Johnston, 2007). Garicano and Heaton (2009) indicated that information technology can enhance the effectiveness in police work, when it is integrated with certain organizational practices which are adopted to take benefits of data availability. Information technology offers a tool to help police to achieve its wider and increasingly multifaceted tasks. Colvin and Goh (2005) emphasize that information technology has a considerable effect on performance of police work. Ultimately, it can be said that if police officers accept information technology, it can increase their performance and value.

Technology and the Individual Officer

The future of law enforcing from the perspective of individual officers is understanding how the new technology works for the individual law enforcer. There are many new technologies that are being invented and implemented in law enforcement agencies across the country. The main goal for each new technology is to improve police work. Wireless technology is a fast growing technology that is helping the individual police officers as well as the agencies themselves. This new technology allows the video link to be viewed 24 hours a day and seven ...