Public Safety Needs Innovation and Accountability
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is growing their drone response program after receiving $500,000 to purchase additional emergency response drones. Similarly, the Shreveport Police Department is also considering an expansion, citing enhanced response time. This expansion has drawn both criticism and praise, and illustrates the challenge that new technology holds for law enforcement. Leveraging technology for public safety requires transparency, responsibility, and an openness to innovation.
Those skeptical of the programs cite a lack of adequate oversight and a desire for increased accountability. Surveillance technology in particular raises questions about privacy and security, particularly for the average, non-criminal civilian. Community trust repeatedly emerges as a common theme among successful police departments, and deploying drones or other monitoring systems must be done in a manner that maintains this trust. Placing boundaries around how and when the technology is used, who gets to access it, and regularly evaluating its effectiveness is a necessary step towards accountability and clear pathways to address issues when they arise. This necessity extends beyond the question of drones. Recent headlines surrounding the misuse of Flock surveillance cameras, including an instance in Jefferson Parish highlight how imperative enforceable policies to govern use and access will continue to be. Technology has given law enforcement the ability to solve crimes at a speed and with an efficiency previously unimaginable. However, when the public fears for their own privacy and questions the legitimacy of those using this technology, the crime-solving benefits are offset.
On the other side, drone programs’ advocates cite the drone’s ability to fill gaps in time and resources. Michael Harrison, New Orleans’ deputy mayor for public safety, explained to NOLA news/Times Picayune that the drones are to act as a “force multiplier.” “NOPD could dispatch drones to quickly assess a situation…allowing officers to receive information more quickly, potentially saving valuable time and allowing police resources to be focused where they are most needed.” When police departments lack staffing and other resources, deploying technology can be the most cost effective option. The language of “force multiplier” is key here. Technology cannot replace many of the duties that police officers regularly perform, nor should it. However, it can make the efforts of law enforcement more effective and far-reaching by building on the strategy and momentum that they initiate. When considering the adoption of a new technology into their practice, law enforcement agencies should consider whether it is a responsible use of resources—a force multiplier—or if it distracts from other public safety and budget priorities.
Testing grounds for officers to learn and hone their skills are invaluable. Baton Rouge has adopted this approach for preparing officers for high-stress situations, building a training stimulator that can mimic the high-risk situations found in the line of duty. Similarly, technology, like any product, is refined through trial and error. A regulatory environment that allows state departments, agencies, and innovators to work together to craft the best tool for the job at hand can help to eliminate any dissonance between the product and the actual needs of law enforcement.
The NOPD, Shreveport Police, and departments around the nation are grappling with the promise and perils of new and emerging technologies. Prioritizing clarity, clear guard rails, and transparency can encourage community trust. Evaluating the technology through a fiscal lens will also provide insights into its longevity as a “force multiplier.” Embracing innovation is not an end in itself and the ultimate goal is to increase public safety. This will require a patient collaboration between lawmakers, agencies, and innovators, but one that is well worth it because of the potential lives and resources saved.