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Police Equipment and Technology

Each government pays lots of attention and spends millions of dollars on its police equipment and on development of new technologies for them. A lot of attention is given to the development and application of scientific and technical means used by the police in investigating crimes. Police agencies are always responsive to all the valuable discoveries in science and technology, selecting the one that could enhance the effectiveness of policing. First and foremost, are those designed to work in the field (check the scene, conducting searches, surveys and other investigative activities, operational and search activities), and in the laboratory (the holding of examinations and preliminary research evidence). It is now impossible to imagine the normal operation of the police without forensic laboratories or without the use of most modern means of communication. Nowadays, government police management is focused on the following material and technical equipping of the police: 1. Universal computerization; 2. Development of communication systems, protected from breaking or interception; 3. Retrofitting transport police forces - land, water and air; 4. Computerization of all types of identification dactyl microscopic and other. High mobility is provided by the various police vehicles, which are very important tool in all areas of policing. They are used for patrolling, monitoring streets and traffic on highways, in the operational work of the intelligence agencies. Police vehicles include terrestrial, marine, and air transport modes. The basis of terrestrial mobile police cars are designed for patrol. To get to the scene police uses four-door limousine that has varied police equipment and scientific and technical tools for working with tracks and other evidence.

To do this, specialized (for certain types of tracks), and universal effect suitcases are made - to detect, capture and study a wide variety of signs: the fingers, hacking tools, firearms, etc. General requirements for criminologist facilities are the following: 1. Always ready for use; 2. Maximum use of all opportunities for hidden information in the object that is under study; 3. Thorough and comprehensive treatment that corresponds with modern scientific knowledge; 4. Conversion of natural science data in the criminal information and rapid transfer of this information to the relevant authorities. The implementation of these requirements is based on high scientific knowledge of development of forensic techniques, a variety of its composition, mobility, convenience and ease of use. According to these principles mobile forensic laboratories (PCL) are equipped, which are in service in the police. For example, the American police mobile criminalization ballistic laboratory established on the basis of vehicle Dodge B 300 "(trade van) has a high technical specifications and is equipped with, apart from the technical forensic means, an autonomous electric all radio and television communication. (Siegel, Larry J. 2005. Criminolgy. Thomson Wadsworth. pp. 515, 516) All its equipment is dispersed in special friendly Carrying suitcases, each of which can be used by anyone. Instruments and equipment on the PCL are constantly improved. To work more effectively at the scene, there are specially equipped sets of scientific and technical resources needed to investigate this or that type of crime. With the same purpose in some countries (Germany, USA) there are standing mobile units criminologists who specialize in conducting spot observations on various types of crimes (murder, fire,

accident, etc.). They are provided with special training in targeted training programs. In terms of effectiveness, such scene working organization has a clear advantage. The first police car was used in the U.S. in the city of Akron in Ohio in 1899, and was a truck with the motor. The first driver (patrol) police Akron was police officer Louis Mueller. Trolley overclocked up to 16 miles per hour and could pass on a charge of up to 30 miles. The car was built by a mechanical engineer Frank Loomis. It was worth 2400 dollars, and it had stretchers. A first task for the machine was to take a drunk off the street in the city. In a world of police vehicles they are used in several of guises. Starting from making an effect of presence and ending with rescuing people. Most of the cars are used to transport police officers. Depending on the location and conditions, cars are used for patrol, pursuit, rescue, special operations. Besides that, cars can be of special categories: for the special squad, staff vehicles, demining, engineering, etc. (The Police Wagon, Akron Beacon Journal, 1999) Also, police cars can be separated by special equipment, including special coloring and siren. In most countries, police is encouraged to use the cars for patrol and pursuit as less as possible, especially in the U.S. Police cars are mainly converted under the requirements of law enforcement. Some car manufacturers such as Ford and General Motors, build special "police cars" right on the factory. Law enforcement departments can modify them to fit their needs, adding the necessary equipment. Depending on the purpose, they can reinforce the suspension, brakes, engine, making various adjustments to the controls and almost always alter the electrical system, with as many modern systems of electronic equipment as possible. The police cars are often equipped with audible and visual warning system to alert other drivers of approaching cars. The use of special signals can deviate from certain points of the rules of the road. Visual warning of the police cars can be of two types: passive or active. Passive visual warnings are marked on the vehicle. Police mark vehicles are usually

using bright colors or strong contrast with the main color of the vehicle. Modern police cars in some countries have retro reflective markings that reflect light for better visibility at night. Other police vehicles may only be painted with or without retro-reflective markings. Most police cars in the United Kingdom and Sweden have reflective markings, in most cases it is blue and yellow rectangles .Police vehicle marking scheme usually includes the word police or similar phrases. The active visual warnings are usually represented by flashing colored lights (flashing beacons). They are set to attract the attention of other road users to keep informed of approaching police car. Common colors for the warning beacons are blue and red, but it often depends on the service and the country. Police uses such types of flashing lights, as rotating beacons, halogen lights, or LEDs. Some police forces also use the arrow sticks to redirect traffic or messages on billboards standing in the car, displaying a short message. (Goh, J, 2006. SPF's new fleet hits the road. Police Life Monthly) It happened historically that to combat a crime police is focused on detection of crime in hot pursuit. This can be achieved by a high level of development of rapid methods of the collection, study and use of evidence and, therefore, work with them. One of the most important technical tools that are used in police work nowadays by providing significant assistance in improving the methods and means of policing in general, are computers. The possibility of information storage turned the computer into the necessary tool for the effective operation of any police organization. Moreover, besides computers, police started to use Internet as a tool in investigating crimes. The Police Department of New York announced the deployment of the system that will report the crime through a special website called nypdcrimestoppers.com. With the help of this website you can send not only text messages but also pictures or videos. To do this, a person needs to go the section Submit Internet Tips, clicking on the appropriate icon, filling out a short questionnaire and uploading materials that she/he wants to tell the police. The data

is transferred over a secure channel from hacking, and the site is translated into five languages, so that the focus in its structure would not be difficult even for those who do not have a proper degree in English. After filling out the questionnaire, user receives an identification number that can be used to obtain information about the investigation on the hot line at (800) 577-TIPS. Speaking about police uniform, first of all I would like to mention that for most of the 20th century almost up to our days, police officers wore a formal work jacket with polished silver buttons, and black trousers with a sewn in truncheon pocket. No stab vest was worn and much less equipment was carried than is today. Following concerns about the police uniforms safety it was suggested that the uniform should be changed. Only after words, policemen started to were stab vests and other safety equipment. Besides uniform policemen carry guns, tasers, incapacitant sprays, batons, and special key chains. All police forces have access to air support, often in the form of helicopters. According to Samuel Walker (1977), Modern police forces make extensive use of radio communications equipment, carried both on the person and installed in vehicles, to coordinate their work, share information, and get help quickly. In recent years, vehicle-installed computers have enhanced the ability of police communications, enabling easier dispatching of calls, criminal background checks on persons of interest to be completed in a matter of seconds, and updating the officer's daily activity log and other required reports on a real-time basis. Other common pieces of police equipment include flashlights/torches, whistles, and police notebooks and "ticketbooks" or citations. To sum up, I would like to notice once again that police in all countries is always equipped with most modern tools. Governments spend a lot of money on police equipment in order to make policing more effective and bring peace and calm on the streets. In case the crime is committed, police is equipped with all necessary things to investigate this crime.

Lately, besides developing new weapons, tuning police cars, a lot of attention is brought to massive computerization of all the information police uses in its work. It helps to keep everything on its shelves and get necessary information when it is needed.

References Goh, J (May 2006). "SPF's new fleet hits the road". Police Life Monthly. Sheptycki, J. (2000) Issues in Transnational Policing, London; Routledge; "The Police Wagon", Akron Beacon Journal, 1999; Siegel, Larry J. (2005). Criminolgy. Thomson Wadsworth. pp. 515, 516; Walker, Samuel (1977). A Critical History of Police Reform: The Emergence of Professionalism. Lexington, MT: Lexington Books. p. 143.;