NCJ Number
219056
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 34 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 28,30,35
Date Published
June 2007
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the technological advancements implemented in the Los Angeles Police Department under the guidance of Chief Bill Bratton.
Abstract
Technology is a force multiplier, according to Chief Bratton, who has implemented a range of technology programs within the LAPD, reducing crime and increasing citizen safety. The first technology project implemented under Chief Bratton was the CCTV program in MacArthur Park, a family park that had fallen prey to rampant crime and disorder. Following the CCTV initiative, there was a 46 percent reduction in crimes. Eventually, facial recognition and automatic license plate readers were introduced, which has increased the productivity of individual officers and the LAPD as a whole. Under Chief Bratton’s leadership, the LAPD has been green-lighted to develop police vehicle technology, known as the “Smart Car” that will include automatic license plate readers and facial and fingerprint recognition technology. The next phase of the LAPD’s technology implementation plan includes COPLINK, an analysis and decision support tool for rapidly identifying criminal suspects, crime relationships, and crime patterns. COPLINK will enable officers to use a powerful combination of analytical, visualization, and decision support tools to speed the connection between suspects and their crimes. The plan is to connect COPLINK to other jurisdictions as well, including Orange County, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tuscan, to name a few. With too few police officers serving communities around the country, technology will continue to play an increasing role in law enforcement and crime prevention and detection. Exhibits