Virtual learning: distance education for law enforcement - Cover Story

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The, Oct, 1997 by Kim Waggoner, Tom Christenberry

Law Enforcement OnLine

The FBI's commitment to providing law enforcement with state-of-the-art training and education continues with the establishment of Law Enforcement OnLine (LEO). This new computer network, sponsored jointly by the FBI and Louisiana State University, provides a cost-free means for law enforcement officers to conduct research, communicate with peers, and, ultimately, take courses online.

Users need nothing more than a personal computer and a modem to access LEO's many features, which include

* Custom Web-type pages that present general law enforcement information using text, graphics, audio, and video

* Areas reserved for members of special law enforcement groups, such as the National Association of Technical Investigators and the National Executive Institute

* Bulletin boards, maintained by both general and specialized law enforcement groups, which allow users to download information for themselves and post messages for others

* E-mail for secure, one-on-one communication between LEO members

* A library of law enforcementrelated articles written by leading experts.

Although the exchange of information afforded by communication systems such as LEO technically qualifies as distance learning, the true distance learning component of LEO will allow members to take classes online. FBI National Academy students most likely will represent LEO's first class.

Southern Illinois Forensics Science Centre

When the state of Illinois hired 85 forensic scientists for its 8 regional laboratories, someone had to train them. Normally, new hires travel to the Forensics Science Centre for training. Unfortunately, the size of the training facility and its staff compared to the number of students made the centre a less-than-ideal site. For state administrators, the time seemed perfect to institute a distance education program, and they selected videoconferencing as the way to do it.

At a cost of about $25,000 each, the state's eight regional laboratories feature complete systems with conferencing software and CODEC equipment. Each site also has two 27-inch monitors, a camera that focuses on the audience, and a document camera. The centre's upgraded system has two 31-inch monitors, as well as a tracker camera that follows instructors as they move about the classroom.

The centre's investment has yielded substantial dividends. With its videoconferencing network in place, the centre took recent college graduates with little or no work experience who were separated in some cases by hundreds of miles and turned them into forensic scientists. In addition to providing training to new recruits, the centre uses its videoconferencing equipment to conduct meetings and in-services and even has held a remote deposition.

HOW CAN AGENCIES SELECT THE RIGHT SYSTEM?

Some readers already may have decided the distance learning program they want to implement. Others may have thrown up their hands in frustration and confusion. Given the vast array of options available now, in addition to the rate at which new technology develops, how can administrators choose the best option for their agencies?