Police Technology Today

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Technology and Policing Today What was law enforcement doing before computers? Were there any other ways to capture a suspect in a situation besides using lethal force? What tools were out there to protect the officer from false claims of misconduct during traffic stops? The answer to all of these questions always ended with the same outcome, which was officers had limited resources to complete the mission in the safest and most efficient methods possible. Today with the use of technology the officer has many more resources at their disposal, items to assist as well as protect them against criminals. There are items such as the Taser, for non-lethal confrontations, the introduction of the computer and all of its various uses. The introduction of the dashboard camera, which protects both the officer as well as the public. Various other items that would aid in the apprehension of a suspect such as the license plate recognition system. These items have changed the way that Police Operations are conducted in today’s environment. The Taser or the Electronic Control Device is a less than lethal weapon that officers have to help take control of an unruly suspect where in the past the only answer was to use a firearm, or other device which could kill or injure a suspect. This system looks similar to the service pistol that an officer carries, however it is designed to control a suspect using electricity in short, fast controlled bursts. It by design is used to interrupt the central nervous system of a person and render them incapacitated. The introduction of the Taser has been shown by the statistics, to have benefited both the officer and the public by reducing injury to the suspect by 60%. The Taser has also been useful in reducing Litigation by injured suspects, reduced the amount of injuries to officers by the suspect, and most importantly preserved life by
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