Critic

doi:10.1017/9781108278423.023

22 - Critic

The Limits of Police Technology

from Part XI - Technology Policing

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 August 2019

Christopher S. Koper and

Cynthia Lum

Edited by

David Weisburd and

Anthony A. Braga

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David Weisburd: Affiliation:
George Mason University, Virginia
Anthony A. Braga: Affiliation:
Northeastern University, Boston

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Summary

Technological advancements have shaped policing in many important ways over the years. One needs only to consider that the primary police strategy for much of the twentieth century – motorized preventive patrol and rapid response to calls for service – was developed in response to the invention and use of the automobile, two-way radio communications, and computer-aided dispatch systems in policing. In recent decades, there have been many significant developments with respect to information technologies, analytic systems, video surveillance systems, license plate readers, DNA testing, body-worn cameras, and other technologies that have had far-reaching effects on police agencies. Technology acquisition and deployment decisions are high priority topics for police (e.g., Koper, Taylor & Kubu, 2009), and law enforcement agencies at all levels of governments are spending vast sums on technology in the hopes of improving agency efficiency and effectiveness.

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Type: Chapter
Information: Police Innovation
Contrasting Perspectives
, pp. 517 - 543

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108278423.023 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2019

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