Strategy #14
Technology Issues
With the fast-paced development of technology, law enforcement executives will need to anticipate and plan for constant change in this field and the effect it will have on their agency’s traffic safety programs. Refer to the Technology section of this document for additional information concerning technology issues.
Background
Technology has advanced at such a rate that it is often out-dated soon after its delivery. Compatibility with older technology is easy to promise and difficult to ensure. Without adequate planning and supportive policies and requirements, law enforcement will be forced to continually play “catch up.”
Advanced technology has the potential to both improve the delivery of service to the public and complicate law enforcement operations. Increasingly, the operations of public works agencies and departments of transportation affect daily law enforcement operations. A current example is Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), which include a number of technologies intended to move people and goods more safely and quickly. Law enforcement agencies should play an integral role in the development of ITS technologies and strategic plans.
Actions
- Organize, or participate in, a technology-oriented committee for the agency or governing body, which addresses the acquisition of equipment, instrumentation, or software for the agency and/or body.
- Ensure full evaluation of technology for compatibility and require the vendor to provide a suitable warranty. Strongly consider inter-connectivity with related systems and other agencies.
- Make budget requests flexible to accommodate technology changes that will occur during the budget approval process.
- Develop in-house expertise, or form coalitions with other agencies, so that technology needs may be accurately assessed and existing technology may be used most effectively.
- Participate in ITS committees, task forces, and related organizations. Ensure that highway safety is given serious consideration, and that enforcement needs are addressed.
- Address technology and training as part of the agency’s strategic plan.
- Develop, or participate in, a standing committee that functions within professional law enforcement organizations whose responsibility is to evaluate traffic safety technologies and make recommendations for action.
- Encourage the private sector to respond to law enforcement needs (examples include pursuit termination technologies and technologies to make officers more efficient
- computerized citations, collision reports, video cameras, laser measuring devices, and so forth).
Benefits
- Properly applied technology expenditures will provide better results.
- Improved technology in other agencies better accommodates law enforcement needs.
- There is time for legislative or other actions to address the development and implementation of technologies that will complicate traffic safety or law enforcement operations.
Other Considerations
- Cost-benefit analyses may show that some new technologies afford minimal benefits and serve narrow interests.
- Private sector expertise often involves a desire to sell a vendor’s products.
- There may be initial reluctance to educate law enforcement representatives about ITS or other technologies, but the value of inclusion will be more obvious after some experience.
- Whenever technology replaces face to face interaction between officers and motorists, opportunities for detection of other criminal activities are eliminated.