Many state, federal and international law enforcement agencies have developed online resources that can be widely accessed for maximum information sharing. However, these tools/applications may not be well-publicized or have access limitations.

Find and research one technology (application or tool) that has been developed, how it is used, and what security requirements have been placed on its access. What advances in technology have been incorporated into law enforcement? How has is this technology being utilized? By who?

 

What problems do you or experts foresee in implementing this technology? What specific benefits are expected? How will this technology change the way cases are tried, investigations are carried out or laws are administered?Is there a potential downside to this technology?

Introduction

For the law enforcement agencies, advancement in technology has been a blessing to the law enforcers. For example, technologies such as social media platforms and applications have been key in helping law enforcement agencies conduct their activities efficiently. However, these technologies have also made it possible for the terrorist organization and gangs to conduct their illegal activities like never before. As the technology evolves, the law enforcers are tasked with more complicated challenges, and they are hence investing in technology to develop tools and applications that will help them meet the demands of policing work (Fanny Coudert & Daniel Le, 2015). This paper will focus on body-worn cameras as a technology tool used by law enforcers in enforcing the law.

Body-worn cameras

Most of the law enforcement agencies are using the camera during their daily activities, these cameras are small and can be mounted on officer’s pair of glasses or their uniforms. Information recorded is stored in the database and is used in any investigative cases. Every detail of the recorded information is taken as first-hand evidence, and they also dispense officer’s panorama on the incident (Wesley & Mathew, 2014). Most importantly to note the law enforcers can use the footages recorded to train their officers, reviewing recorded successful officer activities and also improving on necessary areas.

The body-worn cameras are meant to provide secure and reliable data, and therefore, there are security requirements that are put in place to ensure that this is achieved. The information collected should remain one hundred percent (100%) free of contamination and the images contained in the devices should represent the true representation. The data collected is stored in a secure database, this is done every time an officer shift is completed. Storage of this information in a secure database is meant to safeguard the information from alteration or deletion. Most importantly to note, this information cannot be viewed by connecting the cameras to the computer, the databases are integrated with data encryption systems to ensure that data is protected from unauthorized users (Darius & Marius, 2016).

These body-worn cameras have been utilized in many areas, for example, police use this tools during patrols to record any important occurrences that may be necessary. Most officers are required to record during arrests, during searches, and during citizen interactions. Law enforcers have problems in implementing this camera as there are privacy issues that should be addressed (Wesley & Mathew, 2014). People feel a breach of privacy when their information is recorded. For this reasons, officers are discouraged from recording from places such as bathrooms, hospitals, and locker rooms. Some advantages of using body cameras include; they reduce negative complaints raised against officers, the prosecution is made more efficient and enhances accountability and transparency.

Body cameras will affect how investigations are conducted; officers will be in the position to provide first-hand evidence by capturing data that can be used by the prosecutor to prosecute the accused. Also, information collected cannot interfere with hence evidence cannot be interfered with by bribing the law enforcers. However there are disadvantages body cameras these include; technological issues where cameras may not work, the equipment is expensive, and also cameras may compromise privacy when used inappropriately (Marks, 2013).   

References

Darius & Marius. (2016). Legal regulation of the use of dashboard cameras. Aspects of privacy protection, 316-326.

Fanny Coudert & Daniel Le. (2015). Body-worn cameras for police accountability. Opportunities and risks, 749-762.

Marks, P. (2013). Body worn cameras mean police are always watching you. 21-22.

Wesley G & Mathew D. (2014). Cops and cameras. Officer perceptions of the use of body-worn cameras in law enforcement, 549-556.