future trends in policing 2014
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
30<br />
FUTURE TRENDS IN POLICING<br />
the radio spectrum to public safety use and provided $7 billion <strong>in</strong> fund<strong>in</strong>g to help construct<br />
the network. The bill created an <strong>in</strong>dependent authority with<strong>in</strong> the Department of Commerce,<br />
called FirstNet, which is responsible for deploy<strong>in</strong>g the network. Several law enforcement<br />
representatives are part of FirstNet. 29<br />
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF NG 911<br />
• 911 operators will receive better <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g text, images, and video data<br />
• Public safety answer<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>ts (PSAP), also known as 911 call centers, will be more flexible,<br />
secure, and robust. Increased <strong>in</strong>formation shar<strong>in</strong>g will help improve emergency response<br />
• Users can contact 911 from any networked device<br />
• PSAPs can more easily transfer emergency calls and back up other PSAPs<br />
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
Next Generation 911: Benefits and Challenges<br />
Many public safety agencies are work<strong>in</strong>g to establish Next Generation 911 (NG 911)<br />
capabilities that will better serve today’s wireless society. 911 systems that are capable<br />
of receiv<strong>in</strong>g text messages, photographs, and videos will be more useful for public<br />
safety purposes.<br />
The U.S. Department of Transportation summarized the issue: “Challenges faced by<br />
emergency call centers prevent easy transmission of data and critical shar<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
that can significantly enhance the decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g ability, response, and quality of service<br />
provided to emergency callers.” 30<br />
Floyd Simpson, chief of the Corpus Christi Police Department, added that the ability to text<br />
911 is extremely useful for the deaf and hard of hear<strong>in</strong>g community. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Simpson,<br />
updat<strong>in</strong>g 911 centers, “isn’t just about a new generation of people, it’s also about serv<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
special needs community.”<br />
Several recent cases demonstrate the value of text<strong>in</strong>g for emergency assistance. In May 2013,<br />
Jimmy Council, the police chief of Kemp, Texas, was assist<strong>in</strong>g on a call for service when<br />
he fell 14 feet <strong>in</strong>to an abandoned well that was hidden from view. The bottom of the well<br />
29. For a full list of board members see www.commerce.gov/news/fact-sheets/2012/08/20/fact-sheet-firstresponder-network-authority-firstnet.<br />
30. “Next Generation 9-1-1: Research Overview,” U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative<br />
Technology Adm<strong>in</strong>istration, www.its.dot.gov/ng911/.
Change language