Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology

Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology

Tammy J. Little

Axia Western International University Online

ADJ/360: Interpersonal Communication in Criminal Justice

Hiram Porter

July 2, 2006

Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology

With the increase of violent crimes come the advantages and disadvantages of modern technology in law enforcement. Law enforcement employs the use of stun guns and is equip with car video surveillance. We will examine some of the issues that contain some validity to arguments for the continue use of these tools within law enforcement.

Stun Guns

Stun guns were implemented in law enforcement in the 1980's for the purpose of minimizing the use of firearms. There are valid arguments for both sides of the issue as to whether or not they should continue to be utilized. For the sake of this argument will concentrate on the pro side.

Since the introduction of the implementation of stun guns in law enforcement the use of deadly force had dropped to fifty-nine percent in the number of shootings by the city's police force over the past two years. (The Phoenix Police Department, Feb. 2004) Since the introduction of stun guns in 1999, many law enforcement agencies reported drops of excessive use of force by law enforcement.

While there have some opposition to the use of stun guns, the statistics in many states report that as much as seventy-eight to eighty percent of excessive deadly force was minimize as well as the number of injuries of officers. (Issues & Controversies, 2004)

Another tool that has played an important role in law enforcement is the use of video mounted cameras in patrol cars. With the use of video patrol cars, it has a dual purpose: one for the suspect and two to monitor a law enforcement officer's conduct.

A potential suspect without the use of video surveillance may claim that his rights were violated and the law enforcement officer may have acted inappropriately. For many of the detainees after viewing the video, immediately admit guilt and are prosecuted accordingly. Therefore, it eliminates lengthy interrogation processes and moves the offender right along with the proper course of law enforcement.

Legally speaking the use of video equipment provides an unequivocal representation of facts. Videos give clear, concise and unadulterated picture of events as they unfold. The old saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words" is just as valid today as well the saying was originated. When utilize in a court of law where a jury is present a video can give a second-by second detail of an event and will leave very little room for doubt on any part (either the offender or the law enforcement officer).

In one case during a driving violation stop, Deputy Harvey Smitherman after originally arresting the driver of the vehicle, while waiting on the