Law enforcement professionals rely on police technology to complete their missions successfully and protect citizens more efficiently. This article will review 20 of the top technological breakthroughs.
20 Police Technology Ideas
Here are the top 20 police technologies that streamline police operations.
1. Advanced Wearable Mobile Computers
Wearable mobile computers are all the rage these days. Practically all professionals can benefit from them, especially police officers. By installing them on their arms or wingers, operators effortlessly free up their hands for weapons and other equipment.
Furthermore, some machines have top-of-the-line functionality. They can silently alert officers of incoming information using haptic vibration. This helps officers stay on top of real-time events, allowing them to react fast.
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2. Digital Forensic Programs
These platforms can locate and record digital evidence commonly related to electronic crimes. They also work great for other types of crimes, including fraud associated with the following:
- Bank accounts
- Phone numbers
- Text messages
- Social media posts
- Emails
The software has unique features like locating deleted or hidden files and performing complex searches.
3. Head-Mounted Display
Head-mounted displays are usually used in VR training. They provide a realistic and safe experience that replicates the real-life experience.
For instance, instructors can teach recruits how to use all types of weapons using head-mounted displays and VR technologies. They can also show them how to track targets and perform other time-sensitive missions. Some devices offer dashboards and analyses, delivering measurable results of the training.
4. Facial Recognition
Facial recognition is one of the most reliable investigative tools. It’s more effective than the retina and fingerprint scans, allowing officers to establish identities accurately.
Many different technologies utilize facial recognition for policing, some better than others.
5. Mobile Printers and eCitations
Issuing citations used to be time-consuming, but that’s no longer the case. Law enforcement officials can now perform this process within seconds using eCitations:
- An officer scans a driver’s license.
- The data populates the citation.
- The officer prints the citation with their mobile printer. They can even send a digital version to courthouses to reduce errors and save time.
6. State-of-the-Art Computers, Smartphones, and Laptops
PCs and smartphones in police vehicles are now widespread. They help emergency workers improve traffic flow and speed up traffic stops. Many platforms allow law enforcement officials to manage real-time cases using robust interfaces. These are also known as record management systems (RMSs).
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7. Smooth Biometrics
Gone are the days when biometrics only involved fingerprints. Groundbreaking technologies enable officers to identify a suspect using many other characteristics:
- Gait
- Heartbeats
- Palmprints
- Wrist veins
- Iris
In some cases, the devices that conduct the analysis take less than one minute to ascertain a person’s identity.
8. Robots
Robots are speeding up work and lowering expenses across the board. Police departments are no exception. Many agencies use robot cameras to provide audio and video surveillance of dangerous and hard-to-reach areas. Due to built-in motors and wheels, you can even throw some of these gadgets and control them with ease.
In addition, Ford and many other manufacturers are working on self-driving police cars. Once implemented, these cars can safely catch traffic violators or notify other officers about a crime in real time.
9. Drones
Another name for drones is unmanned aerial vehicles. The police rely on them in numerous situations:
- Search and rescue missions
- Crime scene investigation
- Reaching vantage points
- Crowd monitoring
- Accident prevention and reconstruction
Some of the most sophisticated machines have 3D mapping programs to enhance precision when surveying areas. Many also feature Zoom cameras, which are perfect for monitoring a building in a dangerous situation and identifying suspects.
Read our article on the Drones for Police.
10. Voice Technology
Police patrol cars are a fully functional command center. They comprise numerous tools and computers to streamline work, but they can also be overwhelming. In particular, an officer may struggle to multitask, which is why they need another way to issue and receive instructions.
Voice technology is the ideal solution. It enables law enforcement professionals to control the tools in their vehicles while patrolling or carrying out other duties.
These systems have varying capabilities, depending on the vehicle. However, most can turn on sirens or run license plate checks automatically.
Sophisticated technology should make report compiling easier. Namely, some companies are developing solutions that allow officers to dictate notes when logged into their RMS.
11. GPS for Dispatch
The police use GPS for several reasons:
- Tracking down cars with an integrated GPS
- Recovering phones and heavy machinery
- Tracking police cars and managing patrol vehicles
The technology is directly related to automatic vehicle locators (AVLs). They help dispatch officers determine which unit is closest to emergencies. Furthermore, they allow law enforcement officials to establish which patrols need assistance and which overlap.
In addition, GPS and AVL software is commonly used to locate missing or abducted persons. They’re also highly effective for tracking down dangerous criminals and monitoring parolees.
12. Dash and Body Cameras
Dash and body cameras are technologies that improve the accountability and safety of police officers. Despite their controversy from the privacy standpoint, they’ve improved transparency in many ways.
Dash and body cameras help establish whether a police officer was overly aggressive when making an arrest. Law enforcement officials are commonly accused of this, but dash and body cameras offer definitive proof. They can corroborate the officer’s story and absolve them of any crimes.
The technologies have been upgraded, and you can now find dash and body cameras with cutting-edge accessories. For example, smart holsters activate the cameras whenever an officer draws their weapon. Manufacturers are also working on gadgets that issue alerts when a policeman is down. Cameras with facial recognition software are in the offing.
13. Artificial Intelligence
The internet is growing unprecedentedly, meaning more information is generated daily. Most of the data can play a key role in law enforcement.
That said, processing vast amounts of information is expensive and time-consuming when performed manually. Police officers need someone (or something) to do the work for them. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the answer.
AI can support many other technologies, such as biometrics and facial recognition. Additionally, officials can rely on them for crime mapping by crunching information to pinpoint crime hotspots. This allows officers to monitor the zones and deploy extra resources if necessary.
Another groundbreaking application of AI in law enforcement is crime forecasting. Utilizing deep learning and other solutions, developers instruct computers to extract data from various categories and sources. After obtaining data, the platforms can predict where and when crimes may happen. Again, agencies can use these insights to properly allocate their resources and ensure officers arrive on-site on time.
Important Note: Due to the security required in police work, ensuring that the AI being used has effective security protocols is critical.
14. Gunfire Detection Sensors
Patrol officers and civilians often witness shootouts. Police can react promptly, but only if they know the precise location of the incident. As every second matters, law enforcement agencies are implementing gunfire detection sensors.
One of the most popular technologies is ShotSpotter. It detects gunfire and analyzes data instantly before relaying it to a police officer, allowing them to reach the site quicker than ever. In some instances, police officials can pinpoint the location of a shootout in under a minute, taking their response times to a whole new level.
15. Automated License Plate Recognition
Automatic platforms eliminate the need for manual labor in many areas, including toll collection. Police professionals have adopted similar technology for finding stolen cars, tracking down suspects, and managing Amber Alerts.
The latest application of this technology is automated license plate recognition, which, powered by AI, enables police officers to accurately identify all kinds of license plates.
Before the AI adoption, bad weather and low-light conditions hindered successful recognition. That’s no longer an issue. State-of-the-art license plate recognition cameras provide high-resolution, crispy images for fast identification. Operators can establish the make and model of a vehicle, even in snow, rain, and poor lighting.
Some technologies can make out individual license plate characters and remember new designs as they emerge. This expands the system’s database, reducing the risk of non-recognition.
16. Video Doorbells
Countless homeowners depend on video doorbells to elevate home security. Besides providing citizens peace of mind, they simplify police work in numerous ways.
These surveillance solutions help solve investigations. Thanks to footage from video doorbells, thousands of arrests have been made.
Furthermore, Amazon and some other video doorbell manufacturers have partnered with police departments. This enables law enforcement agencies to request security footage from homeowners close to crime scenes.
17. Thermal Imaging
Although most crimes take place during the daytime, violent crimes typically take place at night. Felons are more confident at this time because police are less likely to recognize and track them down in darkness.
Thermal imagery can help solve this problem. Thermal imaging cameras use infrared rays to find heat emitted by animals and humans. In turn, they provide heat maps or heat pictures of the surroundings. This allows police officers to track the motions of suspects in dark buildings. It can be the difference-maker in various scenarios, from rescuing hostages to cornering a suspect.
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18. Cloud Technologies
The police need data to hone their operation and perform critical missions, including purchases, supply management, fleet maintenance, and human resources. Cloud technologies are a great solution.
Many agencies employ a public safety cloud to resolve data management and storage problems. Modern solutions have SSL encryption to secure information and prevent unauthorized access. Plus, providers offer AI-based cloud to automate specific tasks and further simplify data storage.
19. Push-to-Talk over Cellular
Push-to-talk over Cellular technology combines the benefits of sophisticated walkie-talkie communication and coverage of cellular networks. It utilizes 4G and 3G technology to enable law enforcement professionals to communicate using multiple channels.
20. Handheld Lasers
The police commonly use robust lasers in investigations. These devices have powerful spectroscopy capabilities, enabling the operator to establish the chemical composition of certain substances within seconds. They speed up lab analyses and are highly accurate.
Consult with a Tech Expert
One of the best ways to increase safety associated with police work is to integrate the above technologies and devices into your routine. But how do you choose a gadget that streamlines your operations without denting your budget?
You turn to Energy Electronics.
Contact us, and our tech experts will discuss your needs to find the right police technology for your department. Using a tailored approach, we ensure you obtain a device that fits your environment perfectly.
