You are a member of a mid-sized metropolitan police department that has just been incorporated. The new chief of police would like to modernize the agency and get as much “bang for the buck” as she can. But, the chief is also concerned that the department is as effective as it can be. The agency has all of its normal issued equipment but would like to start with technology that is current. You are a recent college graduate and one of the youngest officers in the department. Right or wrong, the chief sees you a technology-savvy officer. The chief has tasked you to select 6 new technologies to enhance the department’s modernization. You will select 2 that impact the patrol vehicles, 2 that enhance the department’s nonlethal weaponry, and 2 that you consider the most valuable for investigative or operational use. The chief expects you to tell her the logic for you selecting the items you did.
Assignment Guidelines
Address the following in 3–5 pages:
Describe the 2 technologies that you would add to the patrol vehicle’s capabilities and why you chose them.
Explain what nonlethal weaponry you would add to the arsenal of the agency's weapons and why they would be important to the mission function.
What are 2 components of technology that you think would be the most desirable to have for either investigative or operational activities? Explain in detail, and fully support your arguments.
Considering all 6 current technologies and equipment you selected, why did you select what you did, and how will it impact your agency’s mission? Explain.
Full Answer Section
Nonlethal Weapons
- Taser: Tasers are a nonlethal weapon that can be used to subdue suspects without causing serious injury. Tasers are effective in a wide range of situations, and they can be used to safely resolve incidents without the need for deadly force.
- Beanbag rounds: Beanbag rounds are a type of less-lethal ammunition that is fired from a shotgun. Beanbag rounds can be used to subdue suspects without causing serious injury, and they are often used in crowd control situations.
Investigative and Operational Technologies
- 3D printing: 3D printing is a rapidly developing technology that has a wide range of potential applications for law enforcement. 3D printers can be used to create models of crime scenes, weapons, and other evidence. This can be a valuable tool for investigators who are trying to reconstruct a crime or to identify a suspect.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs): UAVs, or drones, are becoming increasingly popular with law enforcement agencies. UAVs can be used to conduct aerial surveillance, to provide real-time video feeds, and to deliver supplies to officers in remote locations. UAVs can be a valuable tool for both investigative and operational activities.
Impact on the Agency's Mission
The technologies that I have selected will have a significant impact on the agency's mission. Body-worn cameras will help to protect officers and build trust with the public. ALPR systems will help to identify wanted vehicles and prevent crime. Tasers and beanbag rounds will provide officers with nonlethal options for subduing suspects. 3D printing and UAVs will provide investigators with new tools for solving crimes and for conducting operations.
These technologies will help the agency to be more effective in carrying out its mission of protecting the public and enforcing the law. They will also help to make the agency more transparent and accountable to the public.
In addition to the specific technologies that I have mentioned, there are a number of other emerging technologies that could have a significant impact on law enforcement. These include facial recognition technology, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence. As these technologies continue to develop, law enforcement agencies will need to be prepared to adopt them in
order to remain effective.