Technology Assessment Summary

• NCJ Number: 255658
• Date Published: October 2020
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2016-DG-BX-K006
• Agencies: BJA-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description; Instructional Material (Programmed)
• Award: Violence Reduction Network (VRN): National Training and Technical Assistance Program - VRN Logistical Support

Annotation

This report presents findings and recommendations from the technology assessments of each of 13 medium-to-large law enforcement agencies, which is a requirement of their participation in the federal National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program, an innovative framework for state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors to investigate, prosecute, and deter violent crime.

Abstract

Departments and agencies interested in improving their capacity to counter violent crime participate in federally sponsored reviews of departmental functions to develop a baseline understanding of their challenges and areas that require development or improvement in addressing violent crime in their jurisdictions. The technology assessment, which is the focus of the current report, is intended to assist agencies in planning and implementing their future initiatives, based on their existing technical resources and abilities. The technology assessments were conducted for each of 13 medium-to-large law enforcement agencies across the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West. The findings and recommendations common to these 13 agencies in their technology assessments are presented in the following three areas: 1) improvement in the use, training, and capacity of records management systems (RMSS) and computer-aided dispatch (CAD); 2) the use of cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV) proactively and as an investigatory tool; and 3) improvement in the agency's management of technology. The common findings and recommendations from the technology assessments will guide the federal agencies administering PSP in their development of technical assistance and training resources for addressing violent crime.