NCJ Number
123875
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 38 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1990) Pages: 94-97
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Factors and areas affecting law enforcement in the next 10 years include an increase in the elderly population, recruitment, personnel retention, technology on patrol, investigations and planning, and changing public expectations for police.
Abstract
The increase in the U.S. population over 65 years old will require that police be more attentive to crimes against the elderly. This population will also provide a resource of volunteers for the police. The U.S. population of persons aged 20-29 is decreasing, making the police recruitment of qualified personnel more difficult. Recruitment must be improved and expanded. Because of competition for this shrinking market of qualified young adults, personnel retention will also become a challenge. Personnel benefits will become more important, and police unions will become more powerful. Technological innovations on patrol will increase and expand. More systems linking communications and records as well as new ways of supplying information to patrol officers will be developed, and investigations and planning will also be affected by technological change. The use of artificial intelligence programs to structure investigations will expand and become more sophisticated. The public, especially the media, will continue to scrutinize the individual actions of officers. Police will be expected by the public to implement proven programs that reduce crime and the fear of crime.