Introduction
Technology within the police force covers a range of many advances and innovations. Some of the most significant technological advancements include DNA technology, drones, computerized crime mapping, license plate readers (LPR), and body-worn cameras. Advances in various technological advancements such as DNA technology has had a remarkable impact on improving multiple aspects solve crime such as property crimes and solving violence. In the past decade, the police force has not had strong evidence of the application and use of technology in combating crime. According to Peak (2016) with the rising rates of crime in various states, there is a need to harness and apply the most cost-effective and valuable techniques for law enforcement. Despite a large number of technological advancement, notable technologies most used in the police force only include ShotSpotter, body-worn cameras, license plate readers, and police drones. DNA technology has not been widely integrated within the police force partly due to the high costs and knowledge in its application. However, Peak (2016) argues that still, technology has not had a remarkable and notable game-changing impact within the police force and policing in general. It is evident from other sectors of the economy that technology can have a tremendous positive impact, especially towards service delivery. However, Ortmeier and Meese, (2010, p. 3) maintained that continued use of technology has raised major ethical and leadership concerns that have had a profound effect on policing and law enforcement, especially on moral matters and leadership. Lack of proper oversight and regulation on the continued use of technology is no doubt bound to have a significant impact on police service delivery, leadership, and ethical values.
Problem Identification
The primary problem within the police force is the integration of technological advancement with service delivery. At the same time, major police agencies is lack appropriate structures that can be utilized in monitoring and evaluating the impact and application of technology (Peak, 2016). The arising situation complicates issues, especially regarding leadership doctrines or issues, ethical values, and the place of technology in police training and empowerment. The situation has thus left a loophole in the management and improvement of crime prevention in addition to ensuring public safety is given the necessary attention towards bringing forth a favorable environment for all. According to Ortmeier and Meese (2010) h arnessing technological advances, integrating ethical and leadership theories with police philosophies and training are bound to bring forth and improve policing and law enforcement.
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Ethics
Major ethical issues within the police force include upholding law, profiling, and officer’s off duty life, acting impartially, and using unnecessary force. As a service-oriented profession, the police force and officers, in general, are required and expected to work and adhere to laid down ethical values as prescribed and outlined by the relevant oversight bodies. Ethics within the police force is necessary and essential as they help set the standard of policing. Ethics at the same time help in fostering respect, trust, and as required, police officer’s must adhere and make ethical choices. Ortmeier and Meese (2010, p. 6) maintained that t he police badge is a symbol of trust, and thus police officers must exercise and carry out themselves in line with prescribed moral values especially towards protecting property and lives in addition to promoting and safeguarding public interests towards the maintenance of law and order. Law enforcement requires doing and undertaking the right course of action with utmost dedication. By setting the right and appropriate standard within the society, police officers set a public ethical standard in their practice and maintenance of law and order.
Values are the primary standards for setting ethical ideals. They refer to those actions, behaviors, and ideas that guide the police in making the right course of action and decision. Values help in decision making in addition to helping police officers form the basis of understanding ethical norms. Of specific interest are those values that support the police officers uphold public interest and in dedicated service delivery. They include hard work, integrity, honesty, justice, bravery, empathy, compassion, sympathy, and compassion. Despite being universal values, these set of ideals help police officers remain informed of what the public expects of them and the kind of action they need to take. Lack of ethical values would no doubt foster unfavorable climate for maintaining law and order. By upholding and adhering to ethical values, police officers set the appropriate example regarding upholding and putting on integrity towards public service and law enforcement.
Leadership
With rapid technological advancement and development in addition to changing the social and political climate, the police force requires exceptional leadership skills. Line supervisors, administrators, commanders, and unit heads within the police force must no doubt possess relevant and robust leadership skills that help them connect with the broad-ranging issues they face while maintaining law and order ( Ortmeier & Meese, 2010, p. 12) . The success of the police force and service is dependent on the efficiency of its top-most leaders. With the high rate of sophisticated crime in important cities considering technological advancement, the police force must apply and use the most effective and appropriate skills towards rising above such challenges that may deter them from exercising their duties.
Different styles of leadership can be applied and used within the police force. They include situational leadership and transformational leadership. Situational leadership is characterized by quick recognition and assessment required resources and personnel for a particular mission. According to Peak (2016) the police force needs a leader who can navigate through dangerous crime environments due to the volatile aspect of most police work. Situation leadership is characterized by the ability to make quick decisions, especially in highly pressurized situations. However, situational leadership is majorly considered reaction and need to be integrated with other leadership styles such as transformational leadership.
Transformational leadership pays more attention to motivating others towards service delivery. The transformational leader has a profound vision and is driven towards inspiring others on the same. They create positivity and value towards achieving their goals (Peak, 2016). For example, in changing police operations such as the incorporation of technological advancement within the police unit, the transformational leader will foster change and inspire change towards helping police officers embrace the new technologies. He or she does this by recognizing police officers achievements, strengths, honing their abilities, and providing opportunities for development and change.
Required and needed characters for strong leadership within the police force include delegation skills and hierarchy awareness, honesty, encouraging professional growth, caring for officers, and knowledge of the field. Others include abilities to reward and motivate police officers towards ethical policing. Ortmeier and Meese (2010, p. 23) posited that b y encouraging police officers, the leader helps them responsibly execute their duties in addition to upholding and adhering to ethical values. As technology permeates the police force gradually, leaders within the police force have the moral obligation to steer the change towards having a relevant and prepared law enforcement body.
Research and Technology
For policing, significant research and technology can be a great game changer towards law enforcement and effective policing. At the same time, research into policing issues such as community involvement in policing ideologies (community policing) can help in fostering and building trust among the community members ( Lum, Koper & Willis, 2017, p. 65) . Lack of police research into social issues such as technological relevance of crime prevention, inefficiency may gradually lower effective crime prevention. Undertaking research is helpful for the police force towards understanding the various social issues that affect police strategies in combating crime and enforcing law and order. Peak (2016) maintained that research into the adoption of sophisticated technologies would help the police understand the role and place of technology in police operations, engagement of the community, and enhancing police effectiveness. For example, research into new methods and techniques used by criminals can help the police force in setting new strategic measures of fighting criminals within society ( Ortmeier & Meese, 2010, p. 56) . Research supports the police force understand their commitment to public service, their place in effective policing operations, and how to integrate new methodologies into the police force. A disconnect between the police force and research on aspects such as technological advancement would lead to unrealized mission accomplishment in addition to limited assimilation of technology into the police force. Police officers need appropriate information to come up with proper strategies for enforcing the law and combating crime.
Technological Advances
Integration of technological advancements such as cellphone tracking, body-worn cameras, geographical information systems mapping, and police dash cams play a significant role in combating crime and staying above the challenges of rising crime. Lum, Koper and Willis (2017, p. 89) maintained that w ith the high rate of infiltration of technology, future technological advancements will no doubt force the police agencies to adopt superior and sophisticated technologies to help them stay relevant in combating crime. As stated above, the limited integration of technology within the police agency will only complicate law enforcement strategies for the police officers. The police agencies will no doubt be forced by the changing crime patterns to adopt technology as an essential crime-fighting tool. Future application of technology in the police force is bound to have sophisticated appliances, tools, and machines that will effectively help the police force maintain law and order effectively.
Conclusion
Adoption of the various technologies available in the market will be a significant change agent towards fighting crime and building trust among the community members. With efficient police integration of technology into their operations, police operations and effectiveness will stay relevant and up to date towards law enforcement. Police agencies thus need to enact appropriate measures and policies towards acquiring the best and most advanced technologies to help them uphold their policing philosophies. Such requires effective leadership that aligns with set policing philosophies and ethical values in combating crime and enforcing the law.
References
Lum, C., Koper, C. S., & Willis, J. (2017). Understanding the limits of technology’s impact on police effectiveness. Police Quarterly , 20 (2), 135-163.
Ortmeier, P. J., & Meese, E. (2010). Leadership, ethics, and policing: Challenges for the 21st century. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Peak, Kenneth, J. (2016). Justice Administration: Police, Courts, and Corrections Management, 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Print ISBN: 9780133591194 Digital ISBN: 9780133769548
