NCJ Number
178343
Date Published
1996
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This report discusses technological developments relevant to police agencies nationwide and examines common problems experienced by police in their efforts to acquire new products or expand their use of existing technologies.
Abstract
It also presents case studies about innovative police agencies and their efforts to improve their technology base. Information came from a written survey of 600 police agencies selected from Federal grant recipients, technology contacts nominated by Police Executive Research Forum member departments, and drug enforcement investigators in multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces from both smaller and larger jurisdictions. The survey took place in November 1995 the response rate was approximately 35 percent. The analysis focused on current needs and future plans for technology expansion in patrol and community policing, wireless telecommunications, drug law enforcement, and criminal investigations and general detective functions. Results revealed enormous potential for police agencies to expand the further develop their technological resources. Even some of the most financially strapped agencies have developed creative ways to obtain highly beneficial products. However, a lack of information about products and applications has also hindered expansion. About 40 percent of the participants were interested in taking advantage of alternative funding sources such as the COPS MORE program to expand community policing technologies; local funding appropriations have become increasingly difficult to obtain. Appended case studies