Advancements in Law Enforcement Since 9/11

Sept. 11, 2015
Technology makes a difference depending on what we make of it and what we do with it; but it doesn't change law enforcement alone.

When my Editorial Director wrote instruction out to write about how law enforcement has changed (or not) since the attack, I had trouble answering. There were a ton of technological advancements made, but we love to push technology’s envelope – again and again. Without 9/11, these innovations might be slightly different than what we read about in the latest issues of LET and LEPN, but the key is something would have changed. So, while I do remember the world pre-Internet, it’s one filtered through a child’s eye. It’s a world where my perception is altered by inexperience and age. My “more” adult perception hasn’t known without this day. So it’s nearly impossible for me to discern what’s changed.

I have, I know that – hopefully.

You have. We all have, right?

Law enforcement as I know it has always needed better ways to communicate. We’ve even seen a multitude of new solutions to alleviate this issue. Some have evolved, been adapted, and others already out-dated. Law enforcement as I know it has always had a “militarization” debate. It’s gone from looking like patrol officers, to decked-out emergency tactical response, and back to patrol officers again.

Law enforcement as I know it has always been covered by two sides of the media with two or more varying interpretations of the truth. In that inspired even more technological solutions like personal video cameras and electronic less-lethal devices – to reference a couple. For me, these two sides have always had a very vocal skepticism on those enforcing this country’s law. While debate is the core of our country, those in question are cut of the same cloth of the same people that ran into the dust. These are the same people moving towards the pleas for help. These debates might just be less about law enforcement, and more about humanity.

Law enforcement as I know it has always been people. Technology makes a difference depending on what we make of it and what we do with it. Having a network back-up for the back-up helps, chemical/hazard detection, facial recognition, and high tech surveillance cameras are all but tools. These don’t change law enforcement alone.

The question shouldn’t be about how law enforcement has changed, but how have we.

About the Author

Jonathan Kozlowski

Jonathan Kozlowski was with Officer.com, Law Enforcement Technology, and Law Enforcement Product News from August 2006 to 2020.

As former Managing Editor for Officer Media Group, he brought a dedicated focus to the production of the print publications and management of the Officer.com online product and company directory. You can connect with Jonathan through LinkedIn.

Jonathan participated as a judge for the 2019 and 2020 FOLIO: Eddie & Ozzie Awards. In 2012, he received an APEX Award of Excellence in the Technology & Science Writing category for his article on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in police work, aptly titled "No Runway Needed".

He typically does not speak in the third person.

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