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
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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
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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 sheriffs department
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Technologically Advanced
Weapons

Taser: An acronym for Tom Swifts 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 1-inch spark from its
high-voltage power supply.
5

Crime Analysis
Functions
Collect, Analyze,
Disseminate CrimeRelated 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

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
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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
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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

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
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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
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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

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