NCJ Number
201164
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 51 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 124-127
Date Published
June 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines the implications of new and rapidly changing technologies for police work.
Abstract
As the Nation's police forces become increasingly involved in homeland security, there is potential for a growing disparity between high-tech criminals and low-tech police. Not only have the complexities of crime fighting increased with the threat of nuclear, biological, and chemical terrorism, but the tools and training necessary to deter or respond to those attacks are also much more extensive, complex, and time consuming. High-tech systems are becoming a primary and necessary means of maintaining domestic security. As critical technological systems become increasingly capable, the level of knowledge, education, and training required to operate them effectively increases, as does the knowledge and training required to use the technologies appropriately to fight crime and terrorism in a democratic society. It may take many years to implement a given technology successfully in police work; in addition, old and familiar processes and ways of thinking must be abandoned to install new technologies. Even if a police department lacks the resources to purchase sophisticated computer and other equipment, these agencies must acquire knowledge about new technologies and how they may be used by both law enforcement agencies and criminals.