How Are Innovations in Technology Transforming Policing?

This is the title of a new publication from the Police Executive Research Forum in the United States:

http://policeforum.org/library/critical-issues-in-policing-series/Technology_web2.pdf

It's part of the PERF Critical Issues in Policing Series and offers some current perspective on several technologies which have had considerable impact on how police departments do business. Following a baseline survey, PERF researchers found the following percentages of agencies (from the sample) using specific technologies:

Predictive policing (70%)
In-car video recording (71%)
Wireless video streaming (46%)
Licence plate readers (71%)
GPS to track suspects (83%)
GPS to track police vehicles (69%)
Social media to disseminate information (83%)
Social media to receive information (70%)

It's interesting to note that one of the Canadian participants in the executive session held to discuss these issues offered some caveats pertaining to young officers and their use of social media. Deputy Chief Roger Chaffin, Calgary Police Service, pointed out that 70% of their front-line officers have less than three years experience. As "digital natives" who have grown up with computer technology surrounding them, they are often not sufficiently cautious in their use of social media outlets, such as Facebook.

The police executives also discussed technological innovations, including gunshot detection systems and access to wireless broadband for the transmission of data.

There is a challenge to adopt new technologies in tough financial circumstances. There is also a need to make long-term commitments to these technologies, as well as, bringing in qualified professionals to manage these technologies and ensure that personnel are properly trained and guided in their use of these tools for improved policing.