International Assn.
of Chiefs of Police
Legal Officers Section & Police Psychological Services Section
2001 Conference materials
Back to List of Conference Papers
Technology: Myths, Reality, and the Legal Implications
David Boyd
Director
Office of Science and Technology
National Institute of Justice
Hollywood Thermal Imaging
Misperceptions
- Clearly sees through building materials: Bricks, glass, curtains
- Is fully integrated into other systems: Weapons, recording, daylight sights, etc.
- Doesn't work in daylight
- Available to and in use by law enforcement
Thermal Imaging Today
Today's Reality
- Sees the heat given off by objects and persons: Difficult to recognize individuals
- Can NOT see through insulated materials: Bricks, glass, curtains; Can see heat of objects in contact with those surfaces
- Can NOT see colors or text on uniform temperature surfaces: Traffic signals/signs, Marine red/green lights
- Based on military technology that needs further cost reduction for wide-spread law enforcement use: Helicopter systems, roof mounted patrol car, hand carried use
- Being evaluated for use by law enforcement: 50 systems in Dallas, TX
Other Imaging Today
Today's Reality
Through The Wall Surveillance (TWS)
- Initial focus on detection and tracking
- Raytheon portable, radar-based system. Prototypes to be delivered in 2001
- OTRI handheld, radar-based. Prototype demo'd with LEAs in '00
Efforts initiated in FY00 focus on
- Mapping internal structure of buildings
- Locating individuals through metal walls
- Weapons detection and individual ID
Discussions with FEMA and Fire Service
Concealed Weapons Detection (CWD)
- Initial focus on portal systems
- SecureScan 2000 commercialized
- Operational in Bannock County, ID
- Demo in NYC School System
- Current focus on remote detection
- Prototype acoustic device developed
- Other systems being developed
- Portable and handheld
- Radar and infrared sensors
Hollywood Less-than-lethal
- Misperceptions
- 100% safe & effective for all persons
- Blunt trauma
- Chemicals (OC Spray)
- Optical devices
- 100% accurate & effective at all ranges
- Compact & refined
- Available to, accepted by, and in use by law enforcement
Less-than-lethal Today
Today's Reality
- Performance dependent on:
- Energy [velocity, weight, rate]
- Individual [fraility, weight, etc.]
- Accuracy [placement]
- Varying lethality with range:
- Lethal when very close
- Serious injury when too close
- Relatively small "sweet spot"
- Ineffective beyond that
- Many competing concepts:
- Blunt trauma
- Chemicals (OC Spray)
- Optical devices
- Acoustic devices
- Electrical devices
- Capture devices
- Concepts are being evaluated and standards are being developed for use by law enforcement
Electric Stun Projectile
- Projectile with stun gun technology to temporarily incapacitate a person up to 10 meters away
- Sticks to a person using a glue-like substance or clothing barbs
- NIJ and DoD funded prototype development through the Joint Program Steering Group
- Testing continuing @ AFRL, Brooks, TX
Laser Dazzler
- Hand-held device that uses random flashing green laser light to disorient and distract a person
- Design goal is an eyesafe laser dazzler device effective at 50 meters in daylight
- NIJ and DoD funded development of a pre-prototype device through the Joint Program Steering Group. Report available.
Ring Airfoil Projectile (RAP)
- Doughnut shaped rubber impact projectile that is nonlethal at the muzzle
- Developed and produced by the military 20 years ago for use during riots but never used
- NIJ funding the development of alternative launch mechanisms and a RAP with pepper spray for law enforcement use.
WebShotTM (formerly Capture Net)
- Non-lethal net to capture fleeing offenders and those armed with a hand-held weapon, but not a gun
- NIJ funded development of a net deployment module to enhance the safety and practicality of an existing snare-net system
- Launched from a 37mm tear gas canister launcher
Pepper Spray Projectile/Disperser
- Projectile to disperse pepper spray in a hostage, barricade or tactical assault situation
- Projectile is to have a 100 ft launch range with delivery through plate glass with a screen or blind
- Projectile goal is to disperse pepper spray in a room within 1 second
- End product will be a pre-production device & report
Hollywood Face Recognition
Misperceptions
- 100% match to any image at any angle
- Instantly recognizes any person
- Tied into a "super database" that knows who everyone is
- Available to and in use by law enforcement
Face Recognition Today
Today's Reality
- Affected by lighting, angle & size of face, quality of captured & known image, etc.
- Requires a "high-end" computer for real-time face capture/processing
- Stand-alone systems
- Being evaluated as a "tool" for law enforcement in several pilot projects
- Varying confidence of match depending on application
- Multiple unique or proprietary image formats in use
- Intelligence images not available to local law enforcement
- Data sharing across jurisdictions is a problem
- Requires human judgement on match
Hollywood Data Access
Misperceptions
- Instant access to all real-time video, audio, and text
- Instant retrieval of all historical data
- Seamless connectivity to all existing data
- One password works for every system
- All data instantly synchronized between systems
Data Access Today
Today's Reality
Public Safety Communications today:
- $17.1B State and local aging infrastructure needs replacing (Avg. statewide $200M)
- Multiple technologies, no single standard
- Distributed governance
- Spread across 10 spectral bands
- Relatively small, fragmented niche market (compared to commercial market)
- Oligopoly - limited vendors
- Intellectual property rights issues
- Expensive, incompatible equipment
AGILE (Advanced Generation of Interoperability for Law Enforcement)
- Addressing interoperbility on multiple fronts
- Technology
- Standards
- Policy/Outreach
- Spectrum/Regulatory
- Partnership with Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN)
COPLINK
- Inter-agency and Intra-agency database integration and access to support data sharing and data mining
- Initiated in 1997 as a partnership between Tucson PD & U of A Artificial Intelligence Lab
Questions for Discussion:
- What effect does Hollywood's misperceptions have on legal decisions?
- How can the correct use of technology avoid or eliminate litigation and liability?
- Better communication
- Incident reduction
- Data to show implementation was justified
- When does the lack of use of technology become negligence (i.e. less-than-lethal rounds, defibrillators in cars, portable radios, thermal imaging to find missing children)?
- Does using technology incorrectly or without policies, procedures, protocols, and training increase your liability?
Thoughts on the Side...
Fifty years ago (1950) scientists predicted flying cars and gas at 5 cents a gallon by the year 2000 due to improved mining techniques. You were happy to have a black and white TV with a rectangular picture tube and reception of all 3 networks.
Forty years ago (1960) the Soviet Union's Premier predicted that he would bury us. The air-cooled Volkswagon will never catch on.
Thirty years ago (1970) there were ten moon missions planned for after Apollo 11's initial landing to be followed by a moon colony and a manned mission to Mars. The 8-track tape was clearly superior to the cassette. The "muscle-car" was king and Sunoco 260 was 29 cents a gallon. There was a new game called "Pong." The only Disney park was Disneyland in Anaheim.
Twenty years ago (1980) political scientists predicted an end to conventional warfare as all future wars would be nuclear (but then came Grenada, Panama, Falkland Islands, Desert Storm, Kosovo, etc.). Beta video tapes were better quality than VHS. The "daisy wheel" printer produced the highest quality document. Every police officer had a revolver and the Army issued 45's.
Ten years ago (1990) most everyone with a computer used a 5-1/4 inch floppy disk. WordPerfect was king and a "mouse" was somethign you tried to kill. Windows were something to clean. The Army and departments nationwide are converting to 9 mm. Tritium sights replace the "red ramp."
Today's Chief must look for new ways to employ existing technology and be alert for emerging technology. Look for everything to be smaller, more portable, and cheaper. Buy a DVD if you don't own one yet, since your guess is as good as ours when they will be obsolete.
Technology Applications
Use of Force Issues
Including
Microtouching, shoving or pushing
K-9
Handcuffs/restraints
Pain Compliance techniques
Pepper Spray
Impact Weapons
Forced Entry
Deadly Force
Self Defense
Force During Booking/Interrogation
Current Technologies
Pepper Spray
Shot Bags
Rubber Balls
Baton Rounds
Stun Guns
Tasers
Laser/Disorienting Light
CN/CS Gas
Baton-launced nets
Night site
Pressure Points
Voice
In Development
Smart Guns
Acoustic Sounds
"See through the Walls"
Sticky Shocker
Ring Airfoil
Technology Applications
False Arrest Issues
Including
Misidentifications
Computer Errors
Court Record Errors
Current Technologies
CJIS
Face Recognition
Fingerprint/AFIS
Remote Photo Lineups
Interoperability
Information Management
DNA
In Development
SQUID (Squad Car ID Device)
Technology Applications
Search & Seizure Issues
Including:
Forced Entry to Search
Forced Entry to Arrest
Forced Entry to Protect
Strip Search
Thermal Imaging
Interception of Electronic Communications
Current Technologies
Vision Enhancement
Night Scope
Information Access
Entry Technology
Wiretap
Listening Devices
Electronic Evidence
Thermal Imaging
Laser Technology
Tracking Devices-GPS
In Development
Robotic Devices
Wiretap Technology
Acoustic Devices
Metal Detectors
Radar
Measurement
Technology Applications
Pursuit Issues
Including:
Emergency Operations
Pursuit - Cosntitutional Claims
Pursuit - State Claims
Forceful Stops
Current Technologies
Stop Sticks
Road Spikes
Road Blocks
Communication Ability
Access to Resources
Video/Cameras in Cars
In Development
Electromagnetic Technology
On-Star
Chip/Stopping Technology
Tazer/Wire Technology
Microwave
Technology Applications
Investigative Detention Issues
Including:
Unreasonable Police Action
Detaining of persons for too long
Removing suspects from the scene
Current Technologies
CJIS
Fingerprint Technology
Automation
MDT
In Development
3-D Facial Recognition
Voice Stress Analysis
Technology Applications
Special Situations Issues
Including:
Persons with psychological or emotional problems
Accidental Shooting
Positional Asphyxia
Current Technologies
Training
Communication Issues
Restraint Devices (RAP)
Less than Lethal Force
Language Training
Mechanical Gun Locks
Vehicle Seats
Access to Information
In Development
Computer Voice Translator
Smart Gun
Technology Resources:
IACP Technology Clearing House
www.iacptechnology.org
Office of Law Enforcement Technology Commercialization
www.oletc.org
Justice Technology Information Network
www.nlectc.org
Border Research and Technology Center
www.nlectc.org/brtc
Association of Public Communications International, Inc.
www.apcointl.org
Sandia National Laboratories
www.sandia.org
Department of Justice/Office of Justice programs
www.ojp.usdoj.gov
National Institute of Justice: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/NIJ
Bureau of Justice Assistance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA
Technology: Myths, Reality, and the Legal Implications
www.USDOJ.gov/NIJ
www.NLECTC.org
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