As technology is increasingly being used to commit more sophisticated crimes, law enforcement officers and those in the legal system are increasingly relying on technological tools to combat crime. To keep the public safe and protect human life, the criminal justice system must employ cutting-edge software, tracking systems, and other tools.
Today, law enforcement can use technology to detect and solve criminal activity happening at the moment. Instead of reacting, these technologies allow law enforcement to be more proactive. Singapore’s Police Force (SPF) will be receiving a technological boost in the coming months to assist with front-line policing, training, surveillance, and community outreach. The roll-out will include more police cameras, drones and training bots.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced this during the annual Police Workplan Seminar and confirmed that more than 90,000 police cameras have already been installed and have been used to solve more than 5,000 cases.
More cameras with video analytic capabilities will be installed in towns and neighbourhood centres, allowing them to detect unexpected crowds and violent behaviour. In addition, such cameras will be installed in new public housing developments, hawker centres, and transportation hubs. Police officials will also be provided with new guns and body-worn cameras.
The front-line regulars will be trained to use the new weapon by the end of 2023, while their body-worn cameras, which will be unveiled by the end of this year, will be replaced with a newer version with a longer battery life of 13 hours, compared to the current 2.5 hours. The new cameras will be able to record in full HD, live-stream video and audio to the Police Operations Command Centre and wipe out data remotely.
Police trainees may soon be able to use two new remote-controlled bots developed in collaboration with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency. The first is a mobile training target device, which will go on trial for three months starting next month. During Taser training, the manikin on wheels will take the place of the human role-player, lowering the risk of injury.
As part of the new Live Instrumentation Training System, another training bot will be used (LITS). LITS uses a laser in tactical training and will begin a three-month trial at the Home Team Academy in December. Then comes another device, also a manikin on wheels, that uses a laser system to detect how quickly and accurately shots are fired at it. This information can then be used to evaluate and improve the tactical skills of trainees.
Simply put, technology and policing go hand in hand with each other, which is considered a good thing, especially since this technology makes things safer for both officers and the people they serve. As technology advances, police officers will have the opportunity to use it for the greater good in their departments and communities.
Interconnected technology enables law enforcement to respond to crimes more quickly. For instance, traffic lights can be programmed to accommodate officers responding to violent crimes. By sharing information quickly, nearby police agencies or vehicles may be able to locate a suspect or vehicle more quickly. Real-time information monitoring further allows law enforcement officers to integrate big data from bodycams, officers’ health readings, public records, social media content, facial recognition software, and more.
Drones, robots, and other artificial intelligence (AI) technology have the potential to aid in the prevention and response to crime in a more efficient manner. By removing a human from the situation and replacing it with a machine, this type of technology has the potential to save lives. However, law enforcement and the public must consider the potential privacy and constitutional issues that these devices may raise.
