Technology

Stephenie Slahor, Ph.D. Recent advancements in traffic safety and enforcement focus on integrating a combination of new methods, practices, equipment, and strategies for improving road safety through data-driven insights and automated enforcement measures. Traffic safety encompasses a wide range of methods, practices, equipment, and strategies aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow; vigilant drivers; and safer conditions for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and school zones. A wide variety of ideas; technology; imagination; and, yes, jurisdictional restrictions are all part of traffic safety….

Eugene Nielsen In response to the ever-changing landscape of threats faced by law enforcement, the NIJ has recently released an updated body armor standard designed to keep pace with evolving weapons and to improve the safety of female officers. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research, development and evaluation arm of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), has a long-standing history of publishing performance standards for ballistic-resistant police body armor. For over 50 years, these standards have been the…

John G. Peters, Jr., PSDS, CTC, Ph.D. ©2024. A.R.R. Most people are familiar with Artificial Intelligence (AI) through tools like Alexa, Siri or ChatGPT, but many still feel apprehensive. It is vital that public safety trainers and educators understand AI and how to use it to enhance training, making it more creative, efficient, effective, and productive. Like immigrants arriving in a new country or culture, we, too, are immigrants to the AI culture and need to assimilate its cultural norms…

Michael Brown Officers currently use various databases for narcotics intelligence, including information on trafficking groups, their distributors, movements, and communications. However, a centralized database which can track and share the identification of existing and new illicit substances in real time as officers discover them could revolutionize their work. The collaboration and coordination among law enforcement departments across America play a pivotal role in addressing the pervasive opioid crisis gripping the nation. Despite concerted efforts to work together, coordinate activities and…

Carl Mazzanti Image courtesy of Easy-Peasy.AI Cybercriminals are getting smarter and their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making their tactics more sophisticated and complex. Bad actors are leveraging AI technologies to develop innovative tactics, techniques and procedures which pose significant challenges for cybersecurity professionals and organizations worldwide. However, law enforcement and other security organizations can create the opportunity to work together with cybersecurity professionals to stop attacks. This collaboration can help reduce the impact of attacks on operations and…

Researchers try a new way to maximize DNA in low yield situations and reduce costs. Sometimes, forensic labs can find ample DNA in the evidence collected at a crime scene. Other times, investigators are not as fortunate. Evidence samples with low amounts of DNA may not yield a profile which investigators can use to match or exclude potential suspects. Researchers have a potential solution: direct Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This DNA amplification method allows scientists to add a swab or…

Jake Ganor What are the latest developments and advancements in technologies designed to improve ballistic protection? The past year has been a big one for the body armor industry. It has seen the release of a new polyethylene fiber for armor applications – which is momentous, as UHMWPE (Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene) composites are now the most important material in body armor development – and the National Institute for Justice’s 0101.07 specification for body armor has been formally launched. The…

Ron LaPedis While many local departments might consider traffic safety and enforcement to be the bread and butter of the state police or highway patrol, it is an important topic for every jurisdiction. Traffic encompasses a broad range of topics. While speeding might come to mind, it also encompasses traffic calming; street and lane closures; special event and temporary parking layouts; construction zones; parking zone and meter enforcement; funeral processions; checkpoints; and first day of school confusion. It doesn’t matter…

Ron LaPedis A cybercrime scene is much more challenging for investigators to manage than a physical crime scene. To address these challenges, law enforcement needs to continuously adapt and innovate to effectively combat cyber threats and ensure justice is served in the digital age. Cops receive training in the academy, as well as guidance by their FTO and senior partner on how to handle a physical crime scene. For example, before entering a suspected bomb builder’s lair, you already know…

Carl Mazzanti, eMazzanti Technologies Public safety authorities have been grappling with a surge in criminal activity while contending with limited resources. Now, they are confronting an additional challenge: sophisticated ransomware attacks. These malicious schemes initiate when hackers infiltrate and seize control of an agency’s computer system. Subsequently, they threaten to either permanently block access to files or expose sensitive data unless a ransom is paid. The frequency of ransomware attacks has been steadily rising. However, agencies which team up with…