The Changing Face of Law Enforcement Technology

Technology has always been instrumental for improving the criminal justice system and police abilities. Crime fighting technology began with the use of systematic photography for criminal identification in 1854, and later progressed to the use of telegraphs, polygraphs, radios and computer dispatch. By addressing these changes, we are able to grasp the extent of this technological effect. One of the most current technological crime fighting trends is the use of global positioning systems to monitor a variety of criminals and criminal area "hot spots." Advanced global positioning systems have been able to locate child abductors, sex offenders, bodies of missing persons, stolen cars, laptops and cell phones. In addition to tracking criminals, suspects and stolen goods, GPS can provide legitimate alibis for potentially innocent defendants. For cops, all of this means less time and effort for monitoring criminals and a smaller need for classic police operations like stake outs and more time that is available to help other victims of crime. GPS has its obvious benefits from the law enforcement perspective, but what does it mean for the general public? Some believe that planting GPS devices without a warrant or a court order is a blatant violation of personal privacy. With the give and take of the watchful eye of sophisticated technology, one can only come to their own conclusion on whether or not this is unconstitutional a decide if they would like a possibly safer society or increased personal privacy.

Intro to GPS

GPS is a utility that is owned by the United States government and provides people with positioning, navigation, and timing services via satellites. Global positioning systems were originally developed as a United States military product at its most basic design in the early 1940s, although this design would not be recognizable to the GPS we are accustomed to today! With continuous technological development since then, including the launch of the first man-made satellite Sputnik, global positioning systems have evolved into marvelous pieces of equipment. However, it was not until 1973 that the true synthesis of GPS was produced and not until 1995 that full operational capabilities were declared. Observing the evolution and results of GPS, President Clinton determined that GPS availability would be beneficial to civilians as well in 1996. Currently, anyone can purchase a portable global positioning at a number of commercial retailers such as Best Buy or Radio Shack and many modern amenities such as cars and cell phones are already equipped with them. For anyone who has access to a GPS, they can have access to location and time regardless of weather or location, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! This allows users to navigate where they would like to go wherever and whenever they would like regardless of whether their mode of transportation is on ground, air or sea. Along with transportation, GPS allows emergency services to be more efficient by providing accurate location and timing information. It also facilitates everyday activities such as banking and mobile phones operations through the timing provided by the satellites. Global positioning systems have truly changed the face of United States technology as well as the way Americans perform business and how society as a whole has become more connected and informed.