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In a technology focused northern California police department, Officer Henderson found himself with a unique assignment. His mission was to evaluate a groundbreaking piece of equipment, the Officer Community Policing Monitor (OCPM), a multifunctional device designed to revolutionize the face of law enforcement wellness and community engagement.
The OCPM, a wrist-worn device integrated with an earpiece, was more than just a modern accessory. It was a fusion of artificial intelligence, GPS, audio, video, and License Plate Recognition technology seamlessly blended to replace the traditional handheld radio. The device even had the capability to monitor the status of equipment on Henderson’s belt, including whether his magazines were fully loaded, the expiration date of his OC canister, even the battery power on his accessories. But the standout feature of the OCPM was its ability to monitor Henderson’s biometrics. This crucial capability provided Henderson and his supervisor with valuable insights into his well-being while on duty. It allowed for real-time monitoring of Henderson’s physical state, a tool that could help mitigate his stress and potential work absences.
The OCPM proved to be an asset beyond measure. It streamlined Henderson’s workflow and enhanced his safety on the job. With instant access to real-time information, he could make informed decisions and respond promptly to incidents. The AI powered features of the OCPM allowed for swift identification and location of missing persons, particularly those suffering from dementia or mental illness. Henderson appreciated this feature alone as it could save precious time with rescue efforts and save lives.
The impact of the OCPM, however, extended beyond the confines of Henderson’s duties. It had a profound effect on the community he served. Citizens were offered the opportunity to wear a similar device, creating a seamless connection with their local law enforcement agency. The OCPM empowered community members to report crimes, request assistance, and receive timely updates on critical incidents, traffic delays, and upcoming city events. Furthermore, they could use their devices as GPS tracking systems for missing family members. By bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community, the OCPM fostered better relations and transparency. Citizens felt more involved, knowing they had a direct line of communication with the police department and could actively contribute to keeping their neighborhoods safe.
The OCPM’s advanced technology had the potential to revolutionize community policing. By equipping officers and citizens alike with these devices, Henderson’s department created a collaborative approach to public safety. This increased level of engagement not only deterred criminal behavior but also instilled a sense of ownership and pride within the community. Henderson’s experience with the OCPM was a testament to the possibilities that lie at the intersection of technology and community policing.
In a time where trust and confidence in American policing continues to decline, innovative solutions to enhance services and improve community relations are critical. Could one device significantly impact officer wellness, community partnerships, and overall community trust as we have seen with the OCPM? Absolutely; they can do so, and this is how.
Community Partnerships and Trust
The pendulum of public approval of the police continues to swing in both directions and can be impacted nationwide by a single incident involving law enforcement. This was exemplified in 2020 following the high-profile death of George Floyd and the worldwide protests that followed. The events between 2020 and 2021 following Floyd’s death, however, are not the only factors that have led to this estrangement.
Historically there have been times when police officers have been the face of oppression to the citizens they serve. In the past, the laws adopted by our society, such as the Jim Crow laws, have required police officers to perform many unpalatable tasks that sometimes denied the basic rights of citizenship to many Americans. It is of no surprise that this history has created a generational, almost inherited gap of mistrust between many marginalized communities and law enforcement agencies. A survey conducted by the PEW research center in November of 2020 revealed that only 26% of American adults had a great deal of confidence in policing, whereas 48% reported having a fair amount of confidence.[1] The study also revealed that white American adults were 32% more likely to have a great deal of confidence in the police, compared to 10% of African American adults.[2]
There is no question that the hostility between police community relations and the increased demands within policing can, in part, be attributed to the results of officers suffering from mental health concerns and cumulative stress caused by societal issues. A study by AEI-Brookings highlighted that about 80% of officers suffer from chronic stress as they deal with depression, anxiety, and relationship problems.[3] The same study discovered that one out of six officers report being suicidal and that 90% of officers with substance abuse problems never seek help.[4] Officers have been tasked with increased demands and societal pressure to avoid mistakes while having their decisions captured on camera, frequently having to answer for their actions while being scrutinized in hindsight. This added pressure creates stress, sometimes leading to PTSD, which is estimated to be higher among police officers than among those in the general population[5].
Cumulative stress has a profound impact on police officers, both personally and professionally.[6]Officers are exposed to numerous stressful and traumatic situations on a regular basis, which may lead to emotional and psychological strain. Over time, cumulative stress may manifest in many ways, which could affect an officer’s mental health, decision making abilities, and overall well-being. It may also lead to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and eventually lead to burnout.[7] The law enforcement profession is continually adapting to evolving community expectations. Therefore, prioritizing an officers’ mental health wellness with enhanced technology that also helps bridge the gap between the police and those they serve should be a priority goal to ensure a safer and more effective policing environment for officers and their communities.
Technology Built for Safety While Bridging Communities
Wearable sensor devices are now a usual commodity in the market, especially for the monitoring of sports and physical activity. When introduced to consumers, wearable sensors were primarily used to monitor an individual’s physical well-being, tracking vital signs and stress levels. As technology advances, however, they are becoming more sophisticated and capable of monitoring electrocardiogram, oxygen saturation and motion.[8] Specialized wearable devices, though, remain an open field for high-risk professions, such as law enforcement to create the ability to monitor the physical and mental health of officers on the street.
In recent years, body worn cameras, smart glasses, and personal biometric sensors are among the most widely used wearable technologies in policing. While these technologies are primarily used by agencies for evidence collection and crime prevention, continued advancements may benefit and enhance officer safety and community relations. Smart glasses were integrated into law enforcement to provide real time information, enabling officers to access data and communicate hands free, which enhanced their situational awareness and decision-making abilities.[9] Body worn cameras have proven beneficial for organizations and communities by enhancing transparency, accountability, trust, and assisting in dispute reduction. In fact, research conducted by the University of Chicago crime lab and the Council on Criminal Justices’ Task Force on policing in 2021 found that among the police departments studied, complaints against law enforcement fell by 17% and the use of force by police during fatal and non-fatal encounters dropped by nearly 10%.[10] As the evolution of wearable sensor technology continues, imagine how personal devices can enhance employee health and career longevity. Adopting body-worn devices, though, will not come without its own set of challenges and pitfalls.
Balancing Progress, Pitfalls, and Privacy
In recent years, wearable sensor technology has been at the center of several high-profile incidents involving privacy breaches and data misuse. A notable example occurred in 2018 when the fitness tracking app, Strava, inadvertently disclosed the locations of military bases and personnel worldwide.[11] Fitbit, a popular fitness tracking device, faced a class-action lawsuit in 2011 for allegedly selling personal health data to third-party advertisers without their consent.[12] These cases highlight the pressing need for informed consent and greater user autonomy in the collection and utilization of personal data as wearable sensor technology in law enforcement advances. The most significant concern with implementing advanced wearable technology, however, is the possible dependency it may foster, leading individuals to over rely on it.[13] The rapid pace of development, however, means agencies should consider now how they might deploy wearables, and for what purposes.
The fusion of technology and law enforcement is advancing at a swift pace, with various applications already being employed. One such example is Relay, a cloud-based system that integrates hardware, cloud software, and mobile connectivity to improve communication, safety, and efficiency for frontline staff.[14] The device provides translation services, real-time location tracking, immediate emergency alerts for staff members, and replaces the traditional handheld radio. The upward trend is set to continue, making our lives easier as the wearable sensor industry progresses. There is an opportunity to take the disparate parts to create a single piece of equipment capable of monitoring biometric data, utilizing AI, synchronizing and overseeing equipment, enhancing communication with communities, and utilizing audio and video to supervise communication.
Implementing Collaborative Enhanced Technology (ICET)
Law enforcement equipment is starting to consolidate, with devices such as body worn cameras incorporating features like GPS tracking and live streaming capabilities. Additionally, some patrol cars are now equipped with integrated systems that combine dash cameras, LPR technology, and communication tools into a single platform. This consolidation trend aims to streamline operations, improve data management, and enhance overall efficiency for organizations. Inevitably, this trend will soon be seen with wearable technology.
Wearable sensors have undergone significant evolution, and their future in law enforcement holds great promise. The integration of current wearable technology into a single multifunctional device, complemented by advanced biometric sensors, may have the potential to revolutionize the way law enforcement balances employee wellness with organizational efficiencies.
Though not yet developed, the implementation of a device such as the OCPM could enhance community partnerships by providing officers with the ability to access real time information about citizens within their communities. The device could act as a multifaceted tool that not only aids officers but also bridges the gap and strengthens relationships with their communities by providing a platform for collaborative engagement and transparent communication. The social development of younger officers could also be accelerated by having an immediate historical context and appreciation for their culturally diverse communities.
Advanced wearable technologies are currently in development by companies such as Kenzen and Honeywell to provide metrics associated with sweat chemistry, perspiration, and various biomarkers, including psychological indicators like stress.[15] Future advancements in wearable technology that utilize biometric data to assess fatigue risk, detect potential bias, and enhance decision making may revolutionize community policing strategies.[16]
By consolidating and harnessing the capabilities of current wearable technologies, a device like the OCPM could extend careers and significantly improve the social interaction skills of officers within the communities they serve. It may further minimize the probability of mistakes with AI being one of its key features, which will provide officers with real time data analytics and decision support. The device would be designed to monitor and record police citizen encounters, provide historical context regarding an individual, recall past interactions, and offer legal insights necessary for officers to effectively diffuse a situation. This device could notably enhance conflict resolution by promoting the use of minimal force and help to minimize internal affairs investigations and lawsuits.
Moving Forward
The integration of body worn sensor devices in policing continues to evolve alongside the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles. Similarly, AI has already demonstrated its efficacy across various industries, offering enhanced efficiency and valuable insights for decision making. Now, more than ever, law enforcement recognizes the critical importance of achieving a balance between community relations, transparency, and officer wellness. With this understanding, law enforcement has the unique opportunity to leverage existing technologies, combining them to create a device that allows collaboration with the community while enhancing services and promoting officer wellness. The OCPM could serve as a platform for fostering greater community engagements with police departments. Together, these advancements may establish a stronger bond between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Commander Kris Frey has a solid background in law enforcement with nearly 26 years of service, beginning his career with the Ione Police department as a Police Corporal and Sergeant, then with the Amador County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff, as well as an Internal Affairs and Background Investigator for the California Department of Consumer Affairs. He joined the Citrus Heights Police Department as a Police Officer in September of 2006, was promoted to Sergeant in August of 2015, promoted to Lieutenant in 2018, and achieved the rank of Commander in 2021. He has held numerous assignments, including Field Training Officer, Mentor, SWAT Operator, SWAT Team Leader, Motor Officer, Traffic Sergeant, Peer Support Lieutenant, Investigations Lieutenant, and SWAT Commander. Commander Frey has received many awards and citations throughout his career, including the Distinguished Service Medal, for his role in resolving a high-risk incident with the Department’s SWAT Team. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management, serves as a member of the Citrus Heights Rotary Club, is a member of the Citrus Heights American Legion Post 637, and is currently president of the Citrus Heights Police Activities League (PAL).
References
Agrawal, S. (2015). With Smart Glass, Law Enforcement is Stepping into the Digital Age.
Smart Glass, Law Enforcement is Stepping into the Digital Age (credencys.com)
Corley, C. (2021). Body-Worn Camera Research Shows Drop in Police Use of Force. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2021/04/26/982391187/study-body-worn-camera-research-shows-drop-in-police-use-of-force
Craddock, T. B., & Telesco, G. (2022). Police Stress and Deleterious Outcomes: Efforts Towards
Improving Police Mental Health. Journal of police and criminal psychology, 37(1), 173– 182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-021-09488-1
Habibipour, A., Padyab, A., Stahlbrost, A., Social, Ethical, and Ecological Issues in Wearable
Technologies. DiVA Portal. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1337732/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Kiley, J., Parker K. (2022). Trust In America: Do Americans Trust the Police? Pew Research
Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/2022/01/05/trust-in-america-do-americans-trust-the-police/
Otto, H. D., Gatens, A. (2022). Understanding Police Officer Stress: A Review of the Literature.
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/understanding-police-officer-stress-a-review-of-the-literature
Patel, V., Chesmore, A., Legner, C.M., & Pandey, S. (2022). Trends in workplace wearable
technologies and connected-worker solutions for next-generation occupational safety,
health, and productivity. Advanced Intelligent Systems, 4(1), 2100099.
Peres da Silva, J. (2023). Privacy Data Ethics of Wearable Digital Health Technology. Brown University, Center for Digital Health, https://cdh.brown.edu/news/2023-05-04/ethics-wearables
Rashan, R., Clark, N. (2021). A Better Path Forward for Criminal Justice: Police Reform.
Brookings-AEI Working Group on Criminal Justice Reform.
https://www.brookings.edu/research/a-better-path-forward-for-criminal-justice-police-reform/
Relay Pro revolutionizes the way active workers communicate and access information. (2019).
Toral, V., García, A., Romero, F. J., Morales, D. P., Castillo, E., Parrilla, L., Gómez-Campos, F.
M., Morillas, A., & Sánchez, A. (2019). Wearable System for Biosignal Acquisition and Monitoring Based on Reconfigurable Technologies. Sensors (14248220), 19(7), 1590. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/10.3390/s19071590
[1] Kiley & Parker, 2022
[2] Kiley & Parker, 2022
[3] Rashan & Clark, 2021
[4] Rashan & Clark, 2021
[5] Otto & Gatens, 2022
[6] Craddock & Telesco, 2022
[7] Craddock & Telesco, 2022
[8] Toral et al., 2019
[9] Agrawal, S., 2015
[10] Corley, C., 2021
[11] Peres da Silva, 2023
[12] Peres da Silva, 2023
[13] Habibipour et al., 2019
[14] PR Newswire, 2019
[15] Patel et al., 2022
[16] Patel et al., 2022
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