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Essay on Technology and Policing

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Introduction
The use of technology in the policing domain has been rapidly adopted over the past few years. However, it should be noted that the process of adopting and effectively using technology in law enforcement, begun more than 50 years ago. For instance, it become apparent in the 1950’s that computer would enable easier storage and retrieval of large amounts of data. More recently, advancement in technology has incorporated more sophisticated ways of transmitting and analyzing information, therefore aiding the law enforcement process (Button, Sharples & Harper, 2007). The police have found various aspect of technology useful; predominantly, computer crime mapping has been widely adopted and consequently received a lot of attention …show more content…

Nevertheless, Button, Sharples & Harper (2007) cited that at the time its full benefits could not be fully realized due to a number of reasons. To begin with, matching data to maps was unrealistic both in terms of time and efforts spend. In addition, technology at the time was either inferior or expensive. For example in the 1970s main frame computers were popular only with large organizations, which were financially strong (Button, Sharples & Harper 2007). Nevertheless, things begun to take a turn in 1980s, whereby prices begun to decline and hence desktops become essential in storing crime reports. More recently, the cost of both computer software and hardware has reduced substantially. In turn its application in, analyzing, investigating, and preventing, crime in its context is equally increasing. At Present crime mapping is possible due to the fact that it utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS). Crime records, which are stored in police desktops, should contain information about the location of the crime and other indication of the crime pattern. If that is the case, the GIS and mapping software will integrate this information with geographical coordinates to provide more detail report on the crime incidents (Goldstein & McEwen, 2009).
Both Goldstein & McEwen, (2009) and Button, Sharples & Harper (2007) studies agree that crime mapping is effective in uncovering and monitoring crime

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