Police in America Chapter 15 The Future of Policing in America 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Police Technology Major technology applications 1. Database and information technology Computerized systems that operate like a card-file index and allow the police to store large amounts of information from a variety of sources 2. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) Reduce officer confusion, send clear messages instantaneously to officers mobile computers, keep officers safe, prioritize calls for serves 3. Records management systems Used to input and organize information from different types of reports in an easy-to-access format 4. Mobile computing Primary mechanism used by officers to access and deposit information Eliminates all the paper generated by reports 2 The Use of Technology in the Field COMPSTAT Provides timely data on crime and disorder by neighborhood Early Intervention (EI) Systems An application of personnel records management for the purpose of increasing the accountability of police officers License Plate Readers Installed on police vehicles and fixed sites such as traffic intersections Five potential uses: 1. Crime analysis 2. Alerts and hot lists 3. Tracking individuals 4. Identifying previously undetected crimes 5. Revenue generation 3 1
The Future of Police Information Technology Technology to increase information sharing between law enforcement agencies National Crime Information Center (NCIC) of the FBI Global Justice XML Data Model (GJXDM) Allows criminal justice agencies to maintain their information in a standardized language Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS) Increased effectiveness and job performance at the San Diego sheriff s department 4 Technologically Advanced Weapons Taser: An acronym for Tom Swift s Electric Rifle. introduced in early 1975, designed as a non-lethal weapon resembling a handgun. Once the trigger is depressed, two small barbed contacts trailing fine conducting wires are shot from one of the cassettes along the line of aim into the target. The dart-like contacts need not actually touch the skin. If the darts are imbedded in clothing, the electrical charge is capable of reaching the body, since the Taser provides a 1½-inch spark from its high-voltage power supply. 5 Crime Analysis Functions Collect, Analyze, Disseminate Crime- Related Data Identify crime-suspect correlations Support Patrol Officers Assist Investigations Identify conditions that facilitate crime and incivility Types Tactical Crime Analysis Involves identification of specific crime problems in particular geographic areas Strategic Crime Analysis Focuses on long-term crime trends Administrative Provides summary statistics and data to police managers 6 2
Crime Mapping Permits analysts to identify spatial patterns and hot spots for different types of crime About 13% of police departments use crime mapping The Department of Justice (DOJ) is allocating substantial resources toward promoting the use of crime mapping at police agencies around the country 7 The Outlook for Police Employment Opportunities in Local, County, and State Law Enforcement Local, County, and State Salaries Average annual salary of $47,460 in 2006 Detectives make around $58,260 annually Opportunities in Federal Law Enforcement Department of Homeland Security Federal Salaries FBI agents begin at about $60,199 a year Salaries of most federal law enforcement officers is determined by the General Schedule (GS) pay system 8 The Future of Police Research Research Revolution Product of large investment of funds, mostly from federal government, into scientific research Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) Does Research Do Any Good? Yes! Kansas City Preventative Patrol Experiment found that increasing level of patrol did not deter crime more effectively than normal amount of patrol Rand Corporation study found that traditional detective work did not increase number of crimes solved The Future of Federal Funding Very uncertain, varies year to year Poses a serious threat for the future of American police 9 3
Demographic Change Immigration Trends Hispanics/Latinos Other Groups The New Minority: Hispanic/Latino Population Potential Problems and Conflicts What laws do you think should be passed? 10 Impact of the War on Terrorism Foreign Policy Domestic Policy Role Expansion Immigration Enforcement Racial & Ethnic Profiling Personnel Shortages 11 Role Expansion 1. Investigating suspected terrorists 2. Preparing for and responding to specific terrorist acts 3. Preparing for possible terrorist acts involving weapons of mass destruction 12 4
Immigration Enforcement Post 9/11, Justice Department called for a multiagency approach, although enforcing immigration laws was not a traditional job of state and local authorities 287(g) Program Permit local police to enforce immigration law after they have received required training from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel 13 Racial and Ethnic Profiling War on terrorism has lead to increased stereotypes about Arab Americans As a result, Department of Justice created a four-hour cultural competency course to educate local and federal law enforcement officers about Arab and Muslim culture and customs 14 Personnel Changes Post 9/11: Mobilization of National Guard and military reserves led to loss of personnel Especially detrimental to small agencies Increasing demands to fulfill homeland security needs Leading to diversion from regular patrol 15 5