Innovation in Law Enforcement: Evaluating the Impact of Innovative Technology on Small Police Forces
Innovation in Law Enforcement: Evaluating the Impact of Innovative Technology on Small Police Forces and the Development of the Police Technology Management Theory
The advancements in law enforcement technology, particularly in predictive and real-time policing, have dramatically reshaped the landscape of crime prevention and response strategies. As law enforcement agencies contend with shifting societal pressures, rising crime rates, and limited resources, these technological innovations serve as a crucial tool for enhancing the efficacy of policing. Roger (2017) introduced the Plural Policing Theory (PTT) to show that police cannot be effective and efficient on their own. The need for community, private, and alternative support is necessary.
Police technology has seen an evolution from simple mapping algorithms to predictive policing, and now to real-time crime centers. For police departments, demonstrating the agility of adopting and integrating cutting-edge technology has become a crucial strategy for long–term growth. However, Small agencies with limited resources may be at a disadvantage compared to larger departments with the ability to quickly acquire and implement innovative technologies.
The purpose of this study is to determine how small to medium size law enforcement agencies can strategically plan the procurement, implementation, expansion and maintenance of innovative policing technologies.
The study will look at three small to medium size law enforcement agencies in Florida and the correlation between the implementation of policing technology and a decrease in various crimes after the implementation of Real-Time Command Centers (RTCC). Secondary data will be obtained directly from the commanders of the RTCCs at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, The Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and at the City of Hialeah Police Department. The commanders of each center have agreed to provide publicly available pre- and post-implementation data to aid this research.
The first objective of this research is to show how implementing policing technologies expands the Plura Policing Theory. However, the main objective of this research is to create the Police Technology Management Theory to address how small to medium law enforcement agencies can strategically plan for the upfront and the ongoing costs to manage and expand their technology use.
Research Questions and Hypotheses
The proposed research questions and hypotheses will guide the study to assess each case's impact on the city and department.
RQ1 - To what extent does the implementation of a Real-Time Command Center by law enforcement agencies correlate with a decrease in violent crimes.
H0 - The implementation of a Real-Time Command Center has no significant correlation with a decrease in violent crime.
Ha - The implementation of a Real-Time Command Center has a significant correlation with a decrease in violent crime.
RQ2 – Small law enforcement agencies and municipalities have the budget and infrastructure to implement Real-Time Command Center technology?
H0 - Small sized law enforcement agencies do not have the budget and infrastructure required to implement their own RTCC.
Ha - Small law enforcement agencies do not have the budget and infrastructure required to implement their own RTCC.
RQ3 – Can small law enforcement agencies and municipalities benefit from developing plans to procure, implement, expand, and maintain policing technology?
Sample Solution
The advancements in law enforcement technology, particularly in predictive and real-time policing, have dramatically reshaped the landscape of crime prevention and response strategies. As law enforcement agencies contend with shifting societal pressures, rising crime rates, and limited resources, these technological innovations serve as a crucial tool for enhancing the efficacy of policing. Roger (2017) introduced the Plural Policing Theory (PTT) to show that police cannot be effective and efficient on their own. The need for community, private, and alternative support is necessary.Full Answer Section
Police technology has seen an evolution from simple mapping algorithms to predictive policing, and now to real-time crime centers. For police departments, demonstrating the agility of adopting and integrating cutting-edge technology has become a crucial strategy for long–term growth. However, Small agencies with limited resources may be at a disadvantage compared to larger departments with the ability to quickly acquire and implement innovative technologies. Literature Review The literature on the impact of innovative technology on law enforcement is mixed. Some studies have found that technology can be an effective tool for reducing crime, while others have found that the effects are minimal or even negative. For example, a study by the National Institute of Justice found that predictive policing programs can be effective in reducing crime, but only when they are used in conjunction with other strategies, such as community policing. The literature on the challenges faced by small police forces in adopting innovative technology is also limited. However, some studies have found that small agencies face a number of challenges, including:- Lack of funding
- Lack of expertise
- Lack of support from the community
- The study is limited to three small police forces in Florida.
- The study is limited to the impact of Real-Time Command Centers on violent crime.
- The study is limited to the perspectives of the commanders of the RTCCs.