1. CJS/241: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Week 5 Presentation

2. The use of Technology in Policing

3. Police Technology Database and Information Technology
Allows for the easy storage of vast amounts of information that is searchable and easily accessible
Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)
1) Fast and effective communication method for field officers
2) Enhances ability to monitor officer status
3) Helps to prioritize calls
Records Management Systems
Reduces confusion and increases efficiency by allowing for the easy paperless distribution of records between different agencies and departments
Mobile Computing
Those are the laptops you see in so many police cars

4. Police Technology-New
COMPSTAT
Computerized data management that allows for non-field officers to analyze information
Early Intervention Systems
Again, an internal tool that allows for the identification of possible problems with specific officers based on a collection of information
License Plate Readers
Obvious implications

5. Less-than-Lethal Weapons

6. Definition
All weapons have the potential to be lethal, including one’s fists
Therefore less-than-lethal weapons are generally considered to be weapons that are less likely to cause a fatality than conventional weapons

7. Examples Batons Pepper Spray Verbal Communication And of course….
The TASER
Despite the popular belief that the TASER is non-lethal, more and more research is showing than indeed the TASER can cause fatality

8. Discussion
Does the development of less-than-lethal weapons encourage increased use of force whereas before, when an officer only had the option of using a lethal weapons, she would choose to not use force?

9. Issues of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement

10. Role Expansion
While it used to be solely within the purview of the federal government to be concerned with foreign attacks, we now have seen that role expanded to state and local police departments
This includes
1) Investigation of suspected terrorists
2) Preparation for a response to a terrorist attack
3) Preparation for specific types of attacks, like the use of chemical or biological weapons

11. Enforcing Immigration
The Constitution specifically gives the federal government the power to enforce the immigration laws of the United States
Historically that power has remained solely with the federal government, however that has changed since 9/11
Now the federal government is permitting local agencies to assist in immigration enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security has created a program that allows for local agencies to work with the federal government

12. Increased Personnel Needs
The combination of a larger armed forces (thereby diverting many potential and current officers) as well as the increased role of enforcement has created a need for more officers
Therefore the budgets of local law enforcement agencies has expanded; this has caused problems because money has been taken away from other areas traditionally funded by local governments

13. The Future of Policing

14. Demographic Change
Increase of minority groups that has never been seen before
Within our lifetimes the number of racial minorities will outnumber the number of Caucasians in the United States
Possible Implications? What can we predict based upon the past?

15. Future of Police Technology
The emphasis is now on data collection.
Where have we seen this in the media as of late?
What are the possible problematic implications of large scale data gathering?

16. Technology in Policing

17. Police Technology Database and Information Technology
Allows for the easy storage of vast amounts of information that is searchable and easily accessible
Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)
1) Fast and effective communication method for field officers
2) Enhances ability to monitor officer status
3) Helps to prioritize calls
Records Management Systems
Reduces confusion and increases efficiency by allowing for the easy paperless distribution of records between different agencies and departments
Mobile Computing
Those are the laptops you see in so many police cars

18. Police Technology-New
COMPSTAT
Computerized data management that allows for non-field officers to analyze information
Early Intervention Systems
Again, an internal tool that allows for the identification of possible problems with specific officers based on a collection of information
License Plate Readers
Obvious implications

19. OBJECTIVE 5.2
Define less-than-lethal weapons

20. Definition
All weapons have the potential to be lethal, including one’s fists
Therefore less-than-lethal weapons are generally considered to be weapons that are less likely to cause a fatality than conventional weapons

21. Examples Batons Pepper Spray Verbal Communication And of course….
The TASER
Despite the popular belief that the TASER is non-lethal, more and more research is showing than indeed the TASER can cause fatality

22. Discussion
Does the development of less-than-lethal weapons encourage increased use of force whereas before, when an officer only had the option of using a lethal weapons, she would choose to not use force?

23. OBJECTIVE 5.4
Examine issues of homeland security and law enforcement

24. Role Expansion
While it used to be solely within the purview of the federal government to be concerned with foreign attacks, we now have seen that role expanded to state and local police departments
This includes
1) Investigation of suspected terrorists
2) Preparation for a response to a terrorist attack
3) Preparation for specific types of attacks, like the use of chemical or biological weapons

25. Enforcing Immigration
The Constitution specifically gives the federal government the power to enforce the immigration laws of the United States
Historically that power has remained solely with the federal government, however that has changed since 9/11
Now the federal government is permitting local agencies to assist in immigration enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security has created a program that allows for local agencies to work with the federal government

26. Increased Personnel Needs
The combination of a larger armed forces (thereby diverting many potential and current officers) as well as the increased role of enforcement has created a need for more officers
Therefore the budgets of local law enforcement agencies has expanded; this has caused problems because money has been taken away from other areas traditionally funded by local governments

27. OBJECTIVE 5.5
Describe the future of policing

28. Demographic Change
Increase of minority groups that has never been seen before
Within our lifetimes the number of racial minorities will outnumber the number of Caucasians in the United States
Possible Implications? What can we predict based upon the past?

29. Future of Police Technology
The emphasis is now on data collection.
Where have we seen this in the media as of late?
What are the possible problematic implications of large scale data gathering?