Building and Enhancing Digital Trust
Technology is ubiquitous in public safety. Technological devices, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and other data-driven solutions are increasingly being used to augment crime reduction strategies and solve crimes. New and emerging technologies can provide immeasurable technical, tactical, and outcome benefits to law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Agencies have deployed them to identify innovative and evidence-based solutions to chronic crime challenges, enhance partnerships and services, and enhance public safety. They can also play an integral role in automating processes and increasing efficiencies, so that officers can spend more time in their communities.
Technology is ubiquitous in public safety. Technological devices, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and other data-driven solutions are increasingly being used to augment crime reduction strategies and solve crimes. New and emerging technologies can provide immeasurable technical, tactical, and outcome benefits to law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Agencies have deployed them to identify innovative and evidence-based solutions to chronic crime challenges, enhance partnerships and services, and enhance public safety. They can also play an integral role in automating processes and increasing efficiencies, so that officers can spend more time in their communities.
What is Digital Trust?
“Digital trust” is the understanding between public safety agencies and the communities they serve to leverage necessary technologies in ways that will be demonstrably effective and efficient and reduce the degree of coercive force needed to achieve lawful objectives. There are important internal and external components of building and enhancing digital trust, and it is critical that law enforcement agencies address these topics.
Building and enhancing digital trust must be accomplished in ways that assess and address privacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and Constitutional protections. Each technology should be carefully discussed with the community and, if agreed to, implemented with attention paid to the training of personnel and enforcement of policies governing the use and safeguarding of data to contribute to positive outcomes for public safety, the community, and the criminal justice system.
What is the Building and Enhancing Digital Trust Electronic Toolkit?
The National Policing Institute, in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), created the Building and Enhancing Digital Trust electronic toolkit to provide agencies and communities with a clearinghouse of resources; identify emerging trends, promising practices, and model programs that address digital trust; provide virtual and on-site reviews of existing department policies and procedures; and, aide in the development of customized training and technical assistance that ensures the protection of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
Resources by Topic
The National Policing Institute compiles resources produced by various criminal justice organizations, academics and researchers, practitioners, and community stakeholder organizations. We provide publications, web resources, multimedia, and information that provide guidance to law enforcement to build and enhance digital trust internally and with their communities.
Gunshot Detection Technology
Gun violence is one of the primary concerns for law enforcement agencies and community members nationwide. In an effort to more-quickly identify and respond to gun violence, and assist in their evidence-collection and investigations, many agencies have successfully leveraged gunshot detection technology (GDT). GDT uses acoustic-sensing devices to automatically detect, verify, and notify law enforcement of the approximate locations and times of firearm discharges.
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Additional Resources
Publications
- Using Gunshot Detection Technology in High-Crime Areas, NIJ (PDF)
- Implementing Gunshot Detection Technology: Recommendations for Law Enforcement and Municipal Partners, Urban Institute (PDF)
- Lessons Learned Implementing Gunshot Detection Technology, Urban Institute (PDF)
- Privacy Audit & Assessment of ShotSpotter, Inc.'s Gunshot Detection Technology, Policing Project at NYU Law (PDF)
- The Hidden Costs of Police Technology: Evaluating Acoustic Gunshot Detection Systems, International Association of Chiefs of Police (Online Article)
Community Resources
Automated Lincense Plate Reader Technology
Recent data has shown that at least 80% of adults in the US drive a car at least several times per week. This is particularly true is smaller and rural jurisdictions, where vehicles often serve as the primary method of transportation, in lieu of public transportation. Automated license plate readers (ALPR) use a combination of cameras to capture images of the license plates of every vehicle that drive by and computer software to quickly convert those images into alphanumeric characters and data files.
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Additional Resources
Publications
- Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Use by Law Enforcement: Policy and Operational Guide (PDF)
- Automated License Plate Recognition (Website)
- Automatic License Plate Readers: Legal Status and Policy Recommendations for Law Enforcement Use (Website)
- Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) (PATROL) (PDF)
Research Citations
Cameras and Video Evidence Technology
Today, it is estimated that video evidence is involved in about 80% of crimes. As smart phones, smart devices and security systems, car cameras, commercial drones, and other devices that record videos reduce in cost they increase in ubiquity in protecting business and private property and recording potential incidents. Law enforcement can use video evidence from the array of personal, business, and agency cameras to protect property; aid in investigations; and, promote transparency and accountability. Video evidence is any form of video used to inform law enforcement investigations. These videos can then be used by prosecutors as admissible evidence in a court of law.
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Additional Resources
Publications
- Video Evidence: A Primer for Prosecutors (PDF)
- What is CCTV? (Website)
- Law Enforcement Access to Smart Devices (Website)
- Police Body Camera Policies: Retention and Release (Website)
Digital Data & Evidence Technology
Technological advancements and the proliferation of personal devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops have changed how we work, travel, and communicate on a daily basis. Digital evidence is information or electronic data created, stored, or transmitted of value to an investigation that is stored on, received by, or transmitted by an electronic device. These digital data and evidence present a potential treasure trove of valuable information that investigators can use to further investigations and solve crimes.
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Additional Resources
Publications
Machine Learning Technology
As technology evolves and becomes an increasing part of our daily lives, the amount of potential data and evidence for law enforcement to view, process, and use to inform decisions has increased exponentially. Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence (AI) that uses advanced data analytics to improve systems processing and outcomes. Machine learning models offer agencies a way to use pattern analysis to proactively enhance public safety.
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Additional Resources
Publications
- What Is Machine Learning (ML)? (Website)
- Predictive Policing Explained (Website)
Biometric Technology
Biometrics are the unique and measurable biological (fingerprints, palm prints, voice prints, retinas, facial features, blood and DNA, etc.) and behavioral (personality and actions) information that is specific to an individual or small group of individuals. Biological biometrics are generally the same over the course of a person’s life and are generally hard to fake, steal, or transfer between people. Bio-tech takes an individual’s measurable biological and behavioral characteristics and compares it to a network of known biometric data within that system. Bio-tech is primarily used for identification and/or access control purposes or for identifying individuals.
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Additional Resources
Publications
- Privacy and Information Quality Risks: Justice Agency Use of Biometrics (PDF)
- Biometric Recognition: Challenges and Opportunities (Website)
- Biometrics and Fingerprints: Next Generation Identification (NGI) (Website)
- The Emergence of Rapid DNA Technology (PDF)
- Biometric Training (Website)
- Frequently Asked Questions on CODIS and NDIS (Website)
- The untold story of how the Golden State Killer was found: A covert operation and private DNA (Website)
Geographic-Tracking Devices Technology
Technological advancements, including the widespread use of geo-location and geo-tracking devices, has simplified and expedited the task of tracking criminal activity and locating persons of interest and criminals for questioning or arrest. In addition to familiar technology such as, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), law enforcement agencies have access to other devices to locate and track items and individuals, known as geo-tracking devices. Geo-tracking devices are electronic devices that use satellites and wireless signals to track the physical location of people and objects in a specific timeframe.
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Additional Resources
Publications
- Stingray Tracking Devices: Who's got them? (Website)
- The Warrant Requirement for GPS Tracking Devices (Website)
- What is Geo tracking and what are its applications? (Website)
- Difference between Active GPS tracking and Passive GPS tracking (Website)
Research Citations
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