NCJ Number
154751
Date Published
1995
Length
123 pages
Annotation
This study examined the coming impact of advanced communications technology on police patrol supervision.
Abstract
Sub-issues examined pertain to how communications technology will enhance the effectiveness of field supervisors, how police training will keep pace with technological innovation, how police will finance technological advances, and how technology will impact the privacy of the field officers. Technologies examined are most commonly associated with the "Information Superhighway," computer technology, and mobil audio/video transmission. Futures related research examined the benefits and uses of projected technologies, as well as possible side-effects and negative impact of those technologies on the supervision function. Benefits of advanced communications were found to include more effective and timely communications, increased accountability, enhanced ability to resolve citizens' complaints, more appropriate evidence, better response to community needs, and a means of enhancing a field supervisor's span on control. Possible negative effects examined include loss of interpersonal contact, intrusions on privacy of patrol officers, abuse of collected information, and conflict with union/association over resistance to new technologies. Proposed strategic plan and implementation strategies are designed to obtain the optimum benefit from implemented communications systems. 7 tables, 21 figures, 13 references, and a 19-item bibliography