Law Enforcement and Technology : Understanding the Use of Technology for Policing

This edited book explores the history, development and use of technology in the policing of society, showing that technology plays a key, if not pivotal role in the work of law enforcement. The authors analyse several examples of technology in common use today, which include both officers' equipment and technology used by crime scene investigation teams. They discuss the supportive role that technology plays in the investigation process as well as the concerns that may arise from a reliance upon technological advances. The book offers the reader a unique look at the scholarly and professional experience, with chapters written by academic researchers, as well as a number practitioners from the field of policing. It is essential reading for all those interested in a constantly changing and evolving field with implications for both theory and practice. Law Enforcement and Technology 3 Acknowledgment 5 Contents 6 Contributors 8 List of Figures 9 List of Tables 10 1 An Introduction 11 The Police (Developing the Service) 11 The Structure of the Book 14 References 16 2 Horses and Horsepower, Fingerprints and Forensics: The Development of Technology and Law Enforcement 18 Introduction 19 Where It All Begins 20 The Science of Investigation 22 Professionalization and Policing 25 The Science of Policing 28 Summary 31 References 32 3 Advances in Technology and Policing: 21st Century America 35 Introduction 35 Patrol 36 Dash Cam 36 GIS 38 Intelligence 39 Social Media 39 Interrogation 40 Advanced Interrogation and Interview Technology 40 Records & Data 40 License Plate Tracking 40 Spying 41 Biometric Data Collection 42 Fingerprints 42 Facial Recognition 43 Iris Recognition 44 Safety and Technology 45 Body Cameras 45 Less-Lethal Force 46 Electronic Surveillance 48 CCTV 48 Next Generation 9-1-1 49 Summary 50 References 50 4 Positive Policing: Communication and the Public 54 Introduction 54 Technology as Communication 55 Conversations with the Public as Communication 57 The Skill of Good Communication 60 Supporting a Positive Public 61 When Things Are Not so Good 62 Summary: Understanding the Use of Electronic Technology 64 Notes 65 References 66 5 Technology at Work: Attitudes Toward Law Enforcement in “Social” Media 69 Introduction 69 How Can We Assess the Public’s Attitude toward Law Enforcement? 71 What Is the Social Media Telling Us About the Police? 73 High Praise 73 Middle of the Road Evaluations 75 Poor Opinions 75 General Angst 77 Media Fueled Distrust 78 Personal Accounts 80 Summary: Moving Forward 80 References 82 6 Technology that Aids the Investigative Process 84 Introduction 85 Communication 85 Cameras and Video 87 Crime Scene-Related Technologies 89 Laboratory Equipment/Technique Advances 91 DNA 91 Bacteria Analysis 92 Substance Identification and Fingerprints 93 Limitations, Precautions, and Policy Implications 94 Cameras and Surveillance 95 Summary 97 References 98 7 Technology Limitations in Policing (The Reality is...) 102 Introduction 102 Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) 104 The Power to Subdue 108 Camera Phones and Social Media 110 Battlefield Technology 112 (Digital) Records Management Systems 114 Issues in Data Protection 115 Summary 117 References 117 8 Technology and the Future of Policing 120 The Future 121 Concerns 126 The Positive Sense of Technology 128 Putting It All Together – A Scenario 131 Conclusion 134 References 135 Index 141 This book explores the history, development and use of technology in the policing of society, showing that technology plays a key, if not pivotal role in the work of law enforcement. The authors analyse several examples of technology in common use today, which include both officers' equipment and technology used by crime scene investigation teams. They discuss the supportive role that technology plays in the investigation process as well as the concerns that may arise from a reliance upon technological advances. The book offers the reader a unique look at the scholarly and professional experience, with chapters written by academic researchers, as well as a number practitioners from the field of policing. It is essential reading for all those interested in a constantly changing and evolving field with implications for both theory and practice. Andy Bain is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Mount Union, Ohio, USA. He is the co-author ofOutlaw Motorcycle Gangs: A Theoretical Perspective (2015, with Mark Lauchs and Peter Bell) and Professional Risk Taking with People: A Guide to Decision-Making in Health, Social Care and Criminal Justice (2008, with David Carson). Andy has published in a number of leading international academic and professional journals. His professional background includes four years with the National Probation Service (England and Wales) and six years running a successful criminal justice consultancy group Front Matter....Pages i-xiii An Introduction....Pages 1-7 Horses and Horsepower, Fingerprints and Forensics: The Development of Technology and Law Enforcement....Pages 9-25 Advances in Technology and Policing: 21st Century America....Pages 27-45 Positive Policing: Communication and the Public....Pages 47-61 Technology at Work: Attitudes Toward Law Enforcement in “Social” Media....Pages 63-77 Technology that Aids the Investigative Process....Pages 79-96 Technology Limitations in Policing (The Reality is...)....Pages 97-114 Technology and the Future of Policing....Pages 115-135 Back Matter....Pages 137-139