NCJ Number
157089
Date Published
1995
Length
150 pages
Annotation
This study examines the methods that California police agencies will use to influence future technological changes needed to increase police effectiveness rather than to simply follow the lead of technology developers and vendors.
Abstract
The research used the nominal group technique with a panel consisting of representatives from two national laboratories, large and small technology developers, a staff member of a State senator, a university PhD, police personnel, and graduates of the California Command College. Results indicated that police agencies, individually and through their professional organizations, will have to consolidate their interests and develop one voice. The Consortium for Crime Control and Public Safety Technology is an independent, objective entity that can help them accomplish this goal. This consortium, initiated by an official at the University of California Riverside, is still in its initial stages of development, but it offers great promise. It can work with law enforcement agencies to develop an ongoing needs analysis process that will collect information, help set priorities, and work with all concerned to develop strategies for producing the appropriate technology. Figures, tables, appended lists of trends and events, reference notes, and 10 references