Technology and the Future of Policing

Flashcards covering key concepts and technologies related to policing from the specified chapter.

What are the main objectives of Chapter 13 regarding technology and policing?

LO1: Trace the development of police technology; LO2: Identify the problems associated with modern technology; LO3: Compare and contrast soft technology; LO4: List and discuss uses of hard technology.

How did police technology develop?

Police departments develop technology to maximize efficiency and productivity at a relatively low cost, using tech for assigning patrol routes and gathering evidence.

Who is considered the father of modern policing and what was his contribution regarding technology?

August Vollmer, who introduced advancements like administrative reforms, crime labs, and personnel training standards.

What were significant advancements in police technology by the mid-20th century?

The telephone, patrol car, and two-way radio.

What role did the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) play in police technology?

LEAA funded police agencies and facilitated the transfer of technology from other fields to law enforcement.

What is an example of soft technology in policing?

CompStat program and crime mapping.

What is the definition of hard technology in policing?

Tangible equipment designed to prevent crime, identify suspects, and bring them to justice.

What are some examples of hard technologies used in policing?

Body-worn cameras, thermal imaging, gunshot detection technology, drones.

What are some problems associated with modern policing technologies?

New technologies may reflect and reproduce existing inequalities, as seen in gang databases and automated risk assessments.

What is the function of License Plate Readers (LPRs)?

They are high-speed cameras that read vehicle license plates in real time and compare them with databases.

What is the purpose of High-Definition Surveying (HDS) in criminal investigations?

To create a virtual crime scene that allows detailed examination of evidence without compromising it.

How does DNA Profiling assist law enforcement?

By matching DNA samples from suspects to samples found at crime scenes.

What are the criticisms regarding the use of in-car and body-worn cameras by police?

They can cause distraction, create too much reliance on technology, and present challenges in handling too much information.

What are some functionalities of drones in law enforcement?

Drones are used for aerial surveillance and can be equipped with cameras for video recordings.

What does artificial intelligence contribute to policing?

AI aids in data mining and predictive policing to identify crime patterns and suspects.

What is the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)?

A system that can classify fingerprints and identify numerous characteristics, with over 14 million records.