As we all know, changes in technology are coming faster than ever before. By the time you purchase the latest device or software, it is often already being replaced by something faster, better, or more advanced. As a police chief with nearly 39 years of experience in law enforcement, I have witnessed technological advances that we could never have imagined back in 1987.
In 1987, not all law enforcement officers had portable radios, and desktop units, known as “dumb terminals,” connecting to mainframes were just becoming more common. Today, most officers use mobile data terminals with direct access to various software programs, databases, and the internet. Most officers now wear body cameras, and if they do not, they at least have in-car video cameras to record interactions with the public.
We also have mobile and stationary tag readers that scan every passing vehicle to check databases for wanted persons, missing individuals, or suspects in criminal activity. Portable fingerprint readers now allow an officer to scan a fingertip and check it against a criminal justice database. These devices are often used when someone cannot be positively identified, or during death investigations to identify victims.
Now, with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), law enforcement is working to understand how criminals may use AI to commit crimes, as well as how to use AI to identify and apprehend those who violate the law. At the same time, the judicial process must ensure that AI is used legally, without violating constitutional rights. For example, when digital photography began to replace 35mm film in law enforcement, the courts had to establish standards and procedures to ensure its admissibility in legal proceedings.
Technology also comes with financial considerations. The cost of purchasing hardware and software, maintaining license agreements, and keeping up with constant updates can be significant. Often, software or hardware becomes unsupported, requiring additional purchases to maintain services. Electronic record storage is another consideration, required for judicial processes, long-term appeals, and statutory compliance.
Many smaller communities, both in Georgia and across the nation, do not have the financial resources to stay current with these technological changes. Larger communities may have more resources, but they also face greater demands on those resources. Law enforcement today must balance the public’s expectations to reduce and solve crime efficiently while managing limited budgets, all while upholding constitutional rights and keeping communities safe.
While technology has made officers more efficient in many ways, it still takes officers who know their communities and can engage with people to prevent and solve crime. Law enforcement has adapted to countless changes over the years, and I am confident we will figure out how communities, courts, officers, and technology can work together. Sure, there will be hiccups along the way, but in ten years, we will look back at today’s technology as outdated and old-fashioned.
