NCJ Number
204558
Date Published
2001
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This paper assesses challenges to the use of information technology in police departments in Canada, with a focus on investigations of cybercrime and organized crime.
Abstract
The paper emerged out of another research study on the emergence and implementation of information technology within police departments in Canada. The main focus of the current inquiry is on how the emergence of information technology and the recognized need to share criminal intelligence influences police intelligence and investigative practices. Fighting organized crime is a top priority of the Federal and provincial governments, thus two intersecting issues were examined: how intelligence and information is generated to develop effective police strategies and how technological tools were used by the criminal world and the police. The central question focused on how an investigation is conducted when information technology is involved in the crime. The author assessed concerns about data collection, data entry, and data retrieval. The emphasis of data sharing among police departments and the traditional isolation between police units were examined. The assessment revealed that long-standing investigative practices and procedures still dominate the police environment and modern information technology is viewed as new and threatening. The development of advanced technology skills among police officers and staff is viewed as a barrier to the implementation of technology in the investigative process. Police officers and staff also report increases in daily workloads as a result of data collection and entry functions. Data collection concerns mainly involved questions about how comprehensive it should be. The time needed to implement and use information technology was considered an impediment to its use. Four conditions were identified that facilitate information sharing: mutual trust between individuals and organizations; control of legal aspects such as privacy protection and access to information; investigative methods conducive to use with computer systems; and working conditions that facilitate computer work. Budgets were also identified as a limiting factor for information sharing; budgets are often inadequate to provide the tools and the training required for technological investigations. The author concludes that there is a disturbing lack of knowledge concerning cybercrime, computer crime, and like issues among police departments in Canada. The author proposes that police officers partner with experts in the field of technology in order to fight computer-related crime. References