7 Types of Technology You’ll Need to Succeed in Law Enforcement
Law enforcement can be a very demanding job. In order to succeed in this career, you are going to need some assistance. There is a myriad of technology designed for use in law enforcement, and you should definitely get familiar with as much of it as possible. In case you need a place to start, here are 7 pieces of technology that are commonly used by those working in law enforcement.
Body Cameras
When you think about the technology that police officers use, body cameras are probably one of the first things to come to mind. Most departments require all officers to wear these devices at all times when on duty. They protect public safety as well as officer safety by recording both audio and video of all encounters. This footage is admissible in court in most cases and can help the judge and jury come to a verdict. Body cameras can help those working in other court careers, such as court reporting Honolulu, by providing documentable evidence.
Radios
Radios are an invaluable tool for law enforcement. Officers will use radios to communicate with each other as well as the dispatch center. These allow for quick communication between individuals and large groups in a way that other technology does not. They also can function in disaster situations or rural settings when cell service or internet is not available.
Surveillance Cameras
Sometimes body cameras don’t provide a big enough picture of what is going on. In those cases, surveillance cameras mounted on buildings, poles, or other locations can give more information. The footage can also inform on crimes that occurred when no one else was around. If you’re lucky, the camera will present a crystal-clear answer to the common question of “whodunit?”
Radar
For a traffic officer, a reliable radar is an invaluable tool. It helps determine the speed of oncoming cars and helps the officer catch any speeders. Most of the time, radars are handheld tools that officers keep in their patrol cars. Some jurisdictions may use aircraft to monitor speed instead, such as drones or radio-controlled helicopters. Learning how to use either type of device will add versatility to your law enforcement career.
Drones
As mentioned before, drones can be used to monitor speed on busy roadways or ones that don’t offer a safe way for officers to park on the shoulder and use a handheld radar. But that’s not all these devices can do. When equipped with cameras, drones can provide surveillance in hard-to-see areas, as well as a bird’s eye view to check for potential trouble spots in crowded situations.
Automatic License Plate Readers
Getting the license plate of an offending vehicle is an important part of law enforcement, but it can be difficult. License plate covers, high speeds, bad weather, and poor lighting can all interfere with the ability to read a plate. In places that don’t require both front and back license plates, you may only have one shot to get a number. Automatic plate readers help officers get a good read on any plate and track down anyone breaking the law.
Databases
All of the evidence and data collected by the above technology has to go somewhere. That’s where databases come in. These digital systems can hold and organize all of the information, making it much easier to pull it all later to build a case. There are quite a few different databases designed for law enforcement or legal use, but having good computer literacy will give you a jumpstart on mastering your employer’s specific choice.
Effective law enforcement in today’s modern world relies heavily on technology. From communication devices like radios to evidence collection devices such as body cameras, surveillance cameras, drones, and radar, chances are that you’ll be issued at least a few pieces of technology in your career. Taking the time to be familiar with how to handle and operate these tools, as well as being computer savvy enough to navigate a criminal or evidence database, will give you an excellent chance at being successful in the law enforcement career field.
