Future technology in law enforcement

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The,  May, 2008  by Ben Reed, Jr.

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My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my
life there.... People are very open-minded about new things-as long as
they're exactly like the old ones....
--Charles F. Kettering (1)

Officer Sample starts his shift by leaving the station in his powerful, yet ultraefficient, hydrogen-fueled patrol unit and surveils the streets of Civil City. (2) "Hey Holly, what's going on today?"

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"Good day, Officer Sample," responds his personal assistant, a 6-inch animated hologram that stands on the passenger-side dashboard. Holly has access to hundreds of public and private databases, executes a number of commands simultaneously, uses voice interaction software, and communicates with Officer Sample through sensors in his helmet that transmit commands to her through a mind switch. She states, "Your voice log-on imprint, password, and system-access level were confirmed. Let us review a summary of crime highlights for the past 24 hours in Civil City, focusing on your assigned district. Then, we'll follow with brief accounts of regional, state, national, and international news that may impact your duties today."

"What else do you have for me today?" asks Officer Sample. Holly immediately responds, "We detected a disproportionate amount of criminal activity at Pine and Century during the past 24 hours. Units were sent to two disturbances in the street; one vehicle was towed; and Officer Citem temporarily detained, but did not arrest, a convicted drug dealer. Based upon historical data, there is a 41 percent possibility of drug sales, prostitution activity, or a felony street crime occurring there within the next 48 hours."

"Send a UAV," (3) directs Officer Sample. "Have it scan two blocks in every direction from Pine and Century. Advise me if any known felons, prostitutes, or drug dealers are loitering in the area."

Holly responds, "Executing now. The UAV is launching from the city corporation yard. ETA is 12 minutes." Within 30 minutes, Holly advises Officer Sample that through facial and voice recognition technology, the UAV identified a subject with an active arrest warrant charging sexual assault. Investigators had placed the subject's biometric data (fingerprints, palm prints, voice imprint, DNA code, facial images, and blood type) into the wanted persons database. Officer Sample drives to the area while Holly simultaneously advises the dispatcher, field sergeant, watch commander, and case investigator of the activity.

As Holly feeds stabilized, real-time video images from the UAV to the heads-up display on the patrol unit windshield, Officer Sample listens to the UAV's digitally enhanced audio feed in one earpiece of his LEAP (4) uniform helmet. In the other ear, he hears the radio communications of units responding to assist him. The UAV provides GPS (the U.S. Department of Defense's Global Positioning System) coordinates on the windshield, directing Officer Sample to the subject. The dispatcher, sergeant, and watch commander make quick adjustments to their monitors, listening to and watching the same sequence.

As Officer Sample exits his patrol unit, the subject runs. The UAV easily follows him despite the disadvantage of darkness. Officer Sample could have continued to watch the video feed from the UAV on his wrist module but, instead, lowers his helmet's facial visor, automatically engaging the digitally enhanced night-vision lenses that easily allow him to see the suspect in the darkness. His helmet provides his location to the others via the built-in GPS system. As he begins to pursue the fleeing criminal, the sensors on his exoskeleton suit sense his exertion and provide sufficient energy to propel him at three times his normal running speed; he catches the subject within 10 seconds.

CURRENT RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGIES

Could this scenario be right around the corner? Law enforcement agencies may begin using some of these new devices in the field. At least one large U.S. metropolitan police agency is experimenting with UAVs and another with facial recognition technology through cameras mounted in a public park known for frequent incidents of violent crime. (5) Will future technology benefit or hinder the law enforcement profession?

As with any futures issue, it is difficult to present hard data and fact-based research because the future has yet to occur. (6) Many of the advancements will require corresponding legislation to make their use lawful. Further, they will need publicity, documentation, explanation, and success stories to gain public acceptance. Understanding and discussing futures issues help citizens grasp the concepts and make better use of new ideas.

In the past few decades, technology has advanced quicker than earlier years. The law enforcement profession has the need, at a minimum, to stay current with the tactics and techniques of criminals and, presumably, should be a step or two ahead. If it gets too far behind, it may be technologically outgunned. Research in areas relevant to law enforcement (e.g., weapons, communications, computers, brain wave sensors, density scanners, vision enhancement, augmented reality, and biometrics) continues to develop rapidly. For agencies, the challenge lies in adapting the technology into workable field equipment and anthropomorphic devices--those that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement officers. (7)