Law enforcement agencies are improving public safety due to advancements in technology. If law enforcement builds a knowledge base of why and how police select, implement, and integrate new technology; how that technology is being used; and whether new technology improves policing in a meaningful way for both the agency and the community, technology can create transparency and citizen trust (Chapman, 2016). Body cameras, for example, can be used by law enforcement to clear themselves and potential suspects of false claims while also furthering community trust and transparency.
Technology can erode law enforcement because it exposes some of their unethical practices. Body cameras have recently revealed the actual outcome of police brutality or fatal encounters. In some cases, law enforcement officers were charged with crimes.
Because many new technologies were created to prevent and protect communities, technology clarifies the perception between public trust and public safety. According to a survey conducted (Crow et al.), the vast majority of respondents supported the mandatory use of body-worn cameras, believing that they would improve officer behavior while reducing citizen complaints. A majority of respondents agreed that implementing body-worn cameras would improve citizens’ trust in the police and their relationships with them. When crimes are solved, and ethical practices are followed, the community develops confidence in law enforcement’s ability to use technology.
References
Chapman, B., 2016. Research on the Impact of Technology on Policing Strategy in the 21st Century. Retrieved from http://www.ojp.gov
Crow, M. S., Snyder, J. A., Crichlow, V. J., & Smykla, J. O. (2017). Community Perceptions of Police Body-Worn Cameras: The Impact of Views on Fairness, Fear, Performance, and Privacy. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 44(4), 589–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854816688037STUDENT REPLIES
STUDENT REPLY #2 Tika Gray
Due to technology, citizens can see the full spectrum of how law enforcement does their jobs. The past few situations that were highly publicized in the news in the past few years have shown in great detail what actions law enforcement takes. Between body cameras, cell phone footage, cameras used to deter crime, and ring cameras, law enforcement is pushed into being transparent. As a result, the trust factor in certain situations will occur, depending on what the citizens see.
Law enforcement trust erodes when they hide or do not disclose information in certain cases. For instance, turning off body cameras while apprehending a suspect or using force by law enforcement. When the situation is dealing with the use of force, higher management of law enforcement does not promptly release the video footage.
The public during the time of an event wants to know what actually happened in a situation. Nevertheless, law enforcement would like to delay how fast and what is distribute to the public. The two parties want answers. Law enforcement will delay making sure that the facts are accurate; the public wants answers. Unfortunately, I do not believe the two will ever have a true balance.
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