NCJ Number
217124
Date Published
2005
Length
464 pages
Annotation
This text describes current state-of-the art technologies used in various policing tasks, as well as emerging technologies.
Abstract
This overview text is divided into four distinct parts. The six chapters that comprise Part One introduce the theory and basics of technology as it relates to law enforcement. These chapters serve as an introduction to police technology and how it applies to the field, cover computer basics, discuss wireless communication systems, deal with computer networks and networked options, discuss geographic information systems such as automatic vehicle location systems and global positioning satellite technology, and present a brief history of police technology. The six chapters that make up Part Two discuss strategic information systems and technologies. These chapters discuss technologies related to communications dispatch centers, agency specific systems, external systems such as the National Crime Information Center, the impact and uses of the Internet in law enforcement operations, the importance of information exchange between organizations, and the use of technology in crime analysis. The six chapters of Part Three focus on tactical information systems and technologies. These chapters address technology used in investigations, wiretaps, tracking and surveillance, and high-tech crime, as well as in use for major incident and disaster response and technology police may encounter in the field. The three chapters of Part Four pertain to technology in police management. These chapters address technology related to personnel and training, the implementation and management of technology, and emerging and future technologies. Each chapter contains learning objectives, a chapter summary, discussion questions, key terms, and end notes. Throughout the text, for each technology explored, a technical explanation is provided in order to help the reader understand how the technology impacts law enforcement, its potential and limitations, and how it relates to other technologies. The technology is also described from the perspective of the line employee, the supervisor, and the police manager. Each chapter contains learning objectives, a chapter summary, discussion questions, key terms, and end notes. A 162-item bibliography and a subject index