NCJ Number
61124
Journal
Journal of Peace Research Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 305-322
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN POLICE TECHNOLOGIES ARE DESCRIBED AND UNDESIRABLE CONSEQUENCES PROJECTED IN A BRITISH PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 1977 CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION.
Abstract
DURING THE CURRENT DECADE, GOVERNMENTS HAVE INVESTED HUGE SUMS ON THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND PROCUREMENT OF NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR POLICE FORCES. ONCE DEPLOYED, THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES PROFOUNDLY AFFECT THE CHARACTER OF TRADITIONAL POLICING ACTIVITIES. SOME OF THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES WITH FAR-REACHING IMPACTS ARE (1) COMPUTERIZED COMMUNICATION, COMMAND, AND CONTROL SYSTEMS TO INTEGRATE DIVERSE POLICE ACTIVITIES AND ACCUMULATE CENTRALIZED INFORMATION ON CITIZENS; (2) POTENT SENSORY IRRITANTS FOR USE IN CROWD CONTROL; (3) THE USE OF RUBBER BULLETS WITH INCREASING PROPELLING CHARGES; AND (4) THE EXPANSION OF SPECIAL POLICE UNITS EQUIPPED WITH SOPHISTICATED LETHAL WEAPONRY. THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIOPOLITICAL CONTROL HAVE RESULTED IN THE EMERGENCE OF A POLICE-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AND A NEW GROWTH INDUSTRY--INTERNAL SECURITY SUPPLIES. THE DEPLOYMENT OF EACH TECHNOLOGY NECESSITATES A NEW INTERPRETATION OF WHAT WERE PREVIOUSLY TRADITIONAL RIGHTS (PRIVACY, ASSEMBLY, FREEDOM FROM COERCION). A SURVEY IS APPENDED THAT DESCRIBES THE FOLLOWING TECHNOLOGIES USED IN PROCESSES OF SOCIO-POLITICAL CONTROL: AREA DENIAL, INTRUDER DETECTION, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS, SURVEILLANCE, DISPERSIVE AND COERCIVE TACTICS, AND INTERROGATION AND TORTURE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)