The Future of Law Enforcement

[IE Copper]

It seems that everything we have discussed on O.com has been so serious, and sometimes personal lately. Lets lighten it up.

Recently, we had an interesting discussion in briefing about what local law enforcement may be like in 15 or 20 years. Many of the younger, tech-orientated coppers had some thoughtful and exciting ideas about what types of tools we may be equipped with in the future. We talked about current technology to create a gun that disables electronics in cars. I guess you can fire a beam or something that essentially burns out the electronics in the vehicle's computer. We already use the license plate scanners, but imagine what type of technology we will be equipped with to locate stolen vehicles or other expensive items in the future. Another idea came up that law enforcement may get less interesting for the thrill seekers among us if we are able to stop criminal behavior so easily.

I know that there are many young imaginative Officers here. What ideas do you have for the future? Unless I grow a few more brain cells, learn to kiss butt better and get elected as Sheriff, I wont be around in 15 years. But I am still excited about the future of Police work.

[Wanna Be Cop]

Your not fooling anyone with your "What ideas do you have for the future" question... You just want us young smart coppers to enlighten you on our great ideas so you could walk back to the squad room to tell the guys and girls at your station what new and great ideas you came up with. lol

By the way.... That idea of a gun that disables vehicles is stupid... I rather have a tool that can translate spanish words into english with the way this country is going. Or maybe, a robot partner who writes all the paperwork for you.

[GreenZone09]

I rather have a tool that can translate spanish words into english with the way this country is going.

"There's an app for that..."

Seriously, I've seen plenty of apps where you just speak into it (whatever language) and it'll transcribe/translate it. As long as the person isn't "falling down drunk", you can generally get the gist of what they're saying at a minimum. Can't list any off of the top of my head, but I'm sure the all-knowing Google will be of assistance there.

[just joe]

I think the army is already working on a "gun" that discharges some type of electro magnetic pulse that disables vehicles.

[SgtCHP]

I think the army is already working on a "gun" that discharges some type of electro magnetic pulse that disables vehicles.

Trouble is it stops your watch, iPod, iPhone and everything else that is electronic!

[Garbage Man]

Actually we have had the technology to stop vehicle with a signal since they invented the radio. All that is needed is a receiver device installed in all the cars. Attached it to the fuel input and the suspect just runs out of gas. Onstar already has that technology. I expect to see something like that installed into all cars someday. Don’t know why its not there now. We have all kinds of government regulated equipment already in our cars.

Technology always starts of very expensive then get cheaper. I expect the see LPR's on every car. Microchip to GPS track frequently stolen property. Once they perfect voice to word technology I doubt we will ever type again. Computer interface in general is the main area of expected new technology. Our grandchildren will consider using a remote control too arduous. I see drones being used by cops more. maybe a car mounted unit where the officer can sit at a single spot and check his beat area by camera. i also see cameras inside every bank or liquor store that can be monitored by cops on their in car computers.

In the end it will be the same. The crooks will find a way to thwart everything we do. They are always the first to exploit any new tech. I remember in HS we read marshal Macluhan who predicted that someday we would have only credit cards and then there would be no crime because how could you steal from a credit card?

[SBSO_DISPATCHER]

I think the army is already working on a "gun" that discharges some type of electro magnetic pulse that disables vehicles.

2 fast 2 furious had the whole electric gun thing that fries a car and that was like 5 years ago. i know it was just a movie but im sure they have something like it. camera's in every liquor store and bank? really big brotherish but i wouldnt care. i see technology taking over like the matrix and terminator salvation.

[pappabacon]

I think that stop a car remotely is closer than we think. Those GM cars with on-star have remote start, must be able to have remote stop somehow. I know the older cars wouldn't have it, but as more and more technology is built in to cars I think it will be available.

[FJDave]

I saw a commercial on TV about On Star. It showed a stolen Chevy SUV, and the On Star people, at the request of the police, cut the top speed of the vehicle to 5 MPH, and finally disengaged the transmission and the vehicle coasted to a safe stop. It is here.

[District B 13]

Where is my Hover Patrol Craft? It's 2011 for Christ sake!!!

[RLRay]

Take a look back in time. What was once fiction (Buck Rogers flying is space) is now a reality. If someone can think it, someone else will make it happen. If you think about how prolific the 20th. century was for innovations, the 21st. century should be nothing short of miraculous for new stuff.

[kiddorbitz01]

Where is my Hover Patrol Craft? It's 2011 for Christ sake!!!

I agree!! I remember watching Back to the future 2 when I was a kid. According to that movie, we should've had hovering vehicles by now!! Haha!!

[mtxpro752]

While On Star type technology is there and is good, it can be disabled, easily and we are seeing more of it here.

I have been sent to several locations by On Star calls to recover stolens and the car isn't there, upon calling On Star they state they last had a signal at that location 30 minutes prior, now signal lost and unable to track or shut down vehicle.

All you need is a thief to work at a GM dealer as a mechanic, learn the disable proceedures and teach it to his buddies.

[DAL]

Your not fooling anyone with your "What ideas do you have for the future" question... You just want us young smart coppers to enlighten you on our great ideas so you could walk back to the squad room to tell the guys and girls at your station what new and great ideas you came up with. lol

By the way.... That idea of a gun that disables vehicles is stupid... I rather have a tool that can translate spanish words into english with the way this country is going. Or maybe, a robot partner who writes all the paperwork for you.

The technology already exists for using electromagnetic magnetic pulses to disable electronics. The problem is focusing such a weapon.

As far as Spanish goes, a translation device is not enough. You need to understand the grammar of the language. And standing there in the field typing words into a smartphone is not the way to carry on an interrogation. You need to learn the language yourself. Within 10 years, that will be an entry-level requirement for police officers.

[IE Copper]

The technology already exists for using electromagnetic magnetic pulses to disable electronics. The problem is focusing such a weapon.

As far as Spanish goes, a translation device is not enough. You need to understand the grammar of the language. And standing there in the field typing words into a smartphone is not the way to carry on an interrogation. You need to learn the language yourself. Within 10 years, that will be an entry-level requirement for police officers.

I agree that learning Spanish will most likely be a prerequisite, rather than just a good addition to a resume in the future. Speaking of technology and innovation, maybe in the near future we will be able to use hypnosis or some other innovative approach to learn new languages. Imagine if one of your academy classes was focused on learning Armenian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Russian, French, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.