The marriage between technology and law enforcement has never been so much in the limelight as it is today. With public opinion divided between Apple and FBI over unlocking phones, encryption and strong security, the relationship between the two is being put to test.
The Internet and social media have changed the dynamics of policing, making it imperative for tech and law enforcement to work together closely. At the recent RSA Conference in San Francisco, participants were quick to point out the degree of closeness between law enforcement agencies and the government, both in project basis as well as advisory capacities.
Police technology has come a long way since the days of just a police radio. Today, even the police radio scans 30 channels, and there are also in-car computer data terminals with mobile Internet access. Officers also typically have an in-car video camera, department-issued cellphones and even new body cameras for some.
Communication devices have exploded along with the rise of social media, which has made policing the digital space as important as the physical one. Today, police work would be nigh impossible without technology. And officers need the latest and emerging technologies, too, because criminals are not shying away from using them.
As Tech.Co explains, some of these advances include:
- 3-D crime scene imaging to help dissect every facet of a crime scene
- nonlethal weaponry to deal with suspects and also prevent unnecessary death
- personal radar, a somewhat-controversial technology that uses radio waves to detect movement through walls
- advanced officer cameras to promote public trust and accountability as well as protect officers from dangerous situations
- crime analytics software to detect criminal patterns and more
For technology companies, these changes means millions in opportunities. The future will bring greater use of the cloud for data and applications across law enforcement agencies. At the same time, agencies will be looking at enhanced data and IT infrastructure security.
The Department of Justice's IT budget for 2017 is $2.8 billion, while for the Department of Homeland Security it is nearly $6.5 billion. These developments clearly show the need for better and advanced technology has become imperative, and setting aside a budget for these is no longer a debate.
Technology is not just evident in the department offices, tools, arms and backend operations either. High-tech SUVs are replacing the iconic Crown Vics, showing how important the relation between technology and law enforcement is today. Not only are these vehicles more efficient and sturdier, but they are also smarter as they have all the basic law enforcement tech needs built in.
A black touchscreen display monitor is mounted to the SUV's dashboard, which simultaneously controls radio frequencies, a dozen sets of LED lights along with several radars. Moreover, it not only helps track driver speed, it also shows the automobile suddenly slowing down with the approaching cruiser, something that may change the speed violation routine completely. These SUVs also have a lot more room for the wide range of equipment that the officers need to carry.
Though the police are somewhat hindered by budget, most departments have been quick to adapt to these new technologies. They recognize the value and need to add some technical muscle, which has led to some innovative and exciting changes in their resources.
