Laptop computers and in-car information systems

The use of Laptops and in-car communication systems by Police Departments

For many police patrolmen having up-to-date information at their fingertips can mean the difference between surviving pulling over the next driver acting suspiciously or not. The use of laptop computers integrated via wireless networks with literally hundreds of databases including the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database and public criminal records from every state, county, and municipality in the country according to Careless (2006) gives the police officer thorough knowledge of who they are pulling over and if they are dangerous or not. Being able to quickly gain information on the person pulled over, if they are on a terrorist or sexual predator watch list, listed as a missing person, or even have an outstanding warrant for arrest in another state is invaluable for the patrolman pulling over this person. This is revolutionizing the role of the patrolman as these systems first protect them from inadvertently confronting a criminal who may be armed and dangerous by first running the license plate through the many databases available through wireless connections from their onboard laptops. There have also been instances of finding missing persons who were trafficking illegal drugs, leading to the break-up of drug dealing rings in municipalities in Louisiana for example (Careless 2006). Warrant violations are commonplace and the incidence of random stops by police patrolman leading to arrests has also gone up significantly according to Careless, 2006. The bottom line of the use of laptops integrated via wireless networks to multiple national and regional databases is the fact that police patrolman have an upper hand in dealing with potentially violent situations, quickly gaining the upper hand on criminals who are intent on pursuing illegal activity and harming citizens in the process. Reference: Careless (2006) - Thinkstream and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office. Law and Order Magazine. James Careless, author. Published July, 2006. Accessed from the Internet on January 26, 2007 from location: http://www.hendonpub.com/secure/articlearchive/details.asp?ID=717