POLICE COMMUNICATIONS - HUMAN AND HARDWARE (FROM CARNAHAN CONFERENCE ON CRIME COUNTERMEASURES - PROCEEDINGS, 1977, BY JOHN JACKSON AND R WILLIAM DEVORE - SEE NCJ-57737)

• NCJ Number: 57738
• Author(s): E ZANNES
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Kentucky
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE MOUNTING TENSION IN THE AREA OF POLICE COMMUNICATIONS IS EXAMINED, IN TERMS OF THE GROWING RELUCTANCE TO USE NEW COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES.

Abstract

IN THE PAST, POLICE WERE QUICK TO ADOPT TO THEIR WORK, NEW TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS TELEPHONES, CARS, AND CAR RADIOS. IN FACT, ONLY TWO YEARS AFTER THE INVENTION OF THE TELEPHONE, THE ALBANY, N.Y., POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD INSTALLED FIVE TELEPHONES IN ITS CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS, AND THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD DEVELOPED RELIABLE POLICE CAR RADIOS BY 1928. THE HUMAN LINK IN TRANSMISSION OF MESSAGES BETWEEN CITIZENS AND POLICE OFFICERS WAS THE OPERATOR/DISPATCHER. UNTIL RECENTLY, POLICE OFFICERS AND MACHINES COULD BE PARTNERS, AND EVERYONE KNEW WHO WAS IN CONTROL. HOWEVER, THE CREATION OF LEAA MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS. NOW THERE IS A GROWING TENSION, A FEAR THAT TECHNOLOGY IS ASSAULTING THE LAST STRONGHOLD OF HUMAN UNIQUENESS. WITHIN THESE CONCERNS AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS, THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS POSED BY NEW TECHNOLOGIES. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)