Technology and Policing
Description
This book offers a global and critical investigation into how technology is transforming the practices, cultures, and ethics of policing. Through international case studies spanning the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Australia, it explores the integration of crime analysis, predictive policing, cybercrime response, surveillance tools, and artificial intelligence into law enforcement operations.
The chapters examine how technological tools-from real-time data systems to drones and AI-are increasingly central to crime prevention and investigation. Yet, rather than treating these tools as neutral or universally beneficial, the book foregrounds the institutional, cultural, and political contexts in which they operate. It considers how these technologies reflect and reinforce existing assumptions about crime, risk, and criminality, often in ways that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
Drawing on the perspectives of both experienced practitioners and academic researchers, the book critically engages with issues such as the portrayal of policing technologies in media, the ethical limits of AI in law enforcement, and the challenges faced by police agencies in responding to cybercrime. It additionally highlights how police organizations navigate the promises and perils of technology, often without adequate oversight, resources and financial budgeting, and how innovation can sometimes outpace accountability and organizational implementation.
By examining how technologies are deployed, interpreted, and contested within specific policing environments, this volume contributes to wider discussions around surveillance, data justice, and algorithmic governance. It offers practical insights and policy recommendations aimed at improving police effectiveness while addressing the social implications of emerging technologies and their use by police agencies.
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Persons
James F. Albrecht is a Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security at Pace University. A Fulbright Fellow and former NYPD captain, he served 20 years in the NYPD, including as Commanding Officer of Transit Bureau District 20. He was a first responder on 9/11 and later served as Police Chief of Criminal Investigations for the EULEX mission in Kosovo. Albrecht has consulted for the UN, U.S. federal agencies, and international organizations on policing, terrorism, and law enforcement reform. He holds bachelor's degrees in Biology and German, master's degrees in Criminal Justice, Human Physiology, and History, and is completing his doctoral studies in Criminal Justice. He has lectured globally and is the author/editor of over a dozen books on policing, violence, and international justice. His work spans police use of force, community policing, law enforcement leadership, and anti-corruption, with a strong focus on international collaboration and public trust in policing.
Dr. Garth den Heyer is a leading expert in policing and counter-terrorism and teaches at Arizona State University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. A former New Zealand police inspector with over 38 years of service, he specialized in national security, counter-terrorism, emergency management, and disaster response. He also served with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, leading reform efforts for the Royal Solomon Islands Police. Dr. den Heyer holds a doctorate from Charles Sturt University and a degree in economics from the University of London. He is a mixed-methods researcher focused on police reform, organizational performance, and the policing of terrorism. Internationally recognized, he has held fellowships and advisory roles in the U.S. and UK. He has published extensively and serves on several police advisory committees and editorial boards, including as a senior research fellow at the National Police Institute.
Content
Chapter 1. COMPSTAT: The Origins of Crime Analysis in the New York City Police Department.- Chapter 2. A New Era in Policing: Examining the Structure of the New Zealand Command Centers.- Chapter 3. Crime Analysis: What it is and how it isPortrayed by Opposing Attorneys.- Chapter 4. The Use of Technology to Evaluate Crime Trends and Predict Criminal Incidents in South Africa.- Chapter 5. Examining Predictive Policing Models implemented in the United States.- Chapter 6. The Role of Technology in Law Enforcement and Predictive Policing.- Chapter 7. Policing Cybercrime.- Chapter 8. Deploying Police Volunteers to Combat Cybercrime in the United Kingdom.- Chapter 9. Response to Bullying and Cyberbullying: Strategies for Rural Law Enforcement.- Chapter 10. Drones in Law Enforcement: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.- Chapter 11. Effective Utilization and Legal Guidelines when using Technology and Surveillance in Criminal Investigations.- Chapter 12. Analyzing the Fundamentals and Practices of Police Surveillance in Counter-terrorism Operations in Nigeria.- Chapter 13. The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Policing: Challenges and Opportunities in Australia.- Chapter 14. Integrating Global Artificial Intelligence Ethical Standards and Best Practices into Police Department Policies.- Chapter 15. Exploring the Depictions of Police Technology and Artificial Intelligence in American Films and TV series.