The Role Of Technology In Law Enforcement

Technology is transforming policing in important ways. New and emerging technological devices are playing an important role in the daily work of frontline police officers, giving them an advantage in becoming better informed and more effective by using improved investigative tools. Technology is changing the way police departments operate. Technologies funded today were not even common knowledge just a few years ago. It does not matter which area of law enforcement is considered, technology will place a major factor in it. The abilities of law enforcement officers have been greatly improved by many forms of technology, like GPS systems, ultraviolent cameras, crime mapping, electronic license plate readers, and language translators to name a few.
According to David Roberts (2011), police patrol cars throughout the United States are among the most technologically sophisticated and well-equipped vehicles on the road today.
Configured with laptop computers or mobile digital terminals/computers, in-car cameras, automated license plate readers, multiband radios, RADAR/LIDAR devices, automated vehicle location, emergency lights, sirens, and much more, the cockpit of the typical police car might appear to the uninitiated to be nearly as complicated as that of a jet airplane and every bit as crowded (para. 4). With all of the technology available to law enforcement agencies, they have experienced breakthroughs in DNA typing that has enabled police to identify and at times eliminate suspects and solve open cases from the past. Facial and voice recognition, retinal and iris scanning, hand geometry, gait analysis, and a host of other biometric measures have also proven effective in establishing and verifying the identity of subjects that police are now able to use due to
technology.
GPS technology allows dispatch centers to know what patrol units are closest to respond to an emergency. By using modern technology, law enforcement agents have access to various records, which include automated fingerprint identification systems, vehicle records, driving records, warrants, protection orders, and criminal history records. Those are just a few of the items that can be accessed using technology. In the past, officers would have to do a lot of this work using the old fashioned methods like looking through paper records, or using a computer stationed at the station. Officers now also have access to infield computers, like mobile digital computers, terminals, and laptops. Police department are more likely now to use electronic methods to transmit criminal incident reports to headquarters. Technology has made it easier for officers to transmit incident reports in a timely manner. This enables them to do it more accurately and save time. Using technology law enforcement agencies are able to implement tools to enable expanded communication with officers in the field, to speed up and improve crime reporting and analysis, and to better manage the placement of forces and the best use of resources. Technology is also changing the operational structure of law enforcement agencies, by giving administrators a more manageable way to deploy resources, monitor crime trends with greater precision, and target intervention and investigative assets with greater effectiveness. Technology is facilitating closer and more collaborative relationships between law enforcement and the community (Police Technology, n.d.). With today’s technology, law enforcement officers have the ability to find criminals, investigate crime scenes more effectively, and protect citizens. If technology is used in the right way, the possibilities of a law enforcement agency can be endless.