New Technologies in the Service of Society
The intensive development of technology in the second half of the 20th century shaped a new type of community – the information society. We can define it as a society in which information is a key element of socio-economic activity and the main factor of change affecting practically every social layer and all sectors of the economy.
As the authors of the draft law on the computerization of entities performing public tasks aptly noted, an efficient state, in order to effectively fulfill its functions, should primarily ensure a high quality of public administration services, which can be achieved, among other things, through digitization. However, digitization is not limited solely to administration. It pertains to many aspects of life. It is a tool supporting economic growth, innovation in the economy, and the creative potential of citizens.
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Why do we surround ourselves with high technology? The answer seems obvious; it allows us to operate much more efficiently, thereby saving time that we can then use for something else, perhaps more productive. This is particularly important in the context of the functioning of public administration. It faces a significant challenge in keeping pace with the dynamics of changes occurring around it. Operating based on the constitutional principle of the rule of law, which states that public authorities act on the basis of and within the limits of the law, it somewhat lags behind technological development.
Engaging in a discussion about the possible development and use of new technologies in uniformed services offers hope for understanding the long-term effects of our actions, with particular consideration of the potential impact exerted by the development and application of technological innovations in public administration.
Panelists from RAND Corporation undertook an attempt to determine how, in the perspective of the next several years, the image of society, the justice system, and crime will change, and what technologies the police will need to implement in order to remain effective. Representatives of uniformed services, scientists, experts in new technologies, and futurists were involved in conducting the study. In addressing the question of the value of such analyses, it suffices to point out that just ten years ago, no one, except for employees of Apple’s secret testing lab, had heard of the iPhone.
What Does the Police Need?
In April 1928, a group of police officers from Detroit, with the help of several glass tubes and copper wire, appropriately positioned in their patrol cars, changed the nature of police work forever. The first message sent via a police car radio station was a consequence of technological advancement and brought with it, in addition to the promise of more effective action and consequently a safer society, also a tremendous potential for abuse. Regardless, the police radio made officers more mobile.
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According to the RAND panelists, even today, the greatest challenge for security and public order services is effective information management. The inability to cope with the influx of information and the lack of effective analysis of vast amounts of data (the "Attention Crash" syndrome) will necessitate the development of new methods and tools for sorting, categorizing, and transmitting data. For example, it is possible to use police information systems to continuously compare faces from city surveillance with images of wanted or missing persons in databases.
Experts also pointed out the possibility of law enforcement agencies using portable language translators, biometric sensors embedded in uniforms that could locate officers (even inside buildings) and monitor their stress levels. Future officers may utilize mobile displays placed in glasses, providing real-time information about the history of a tracked vehicle or the criminal record of a person stopped on the street.
The use of such solutions invariably raises issues of data protection and privacy. This concerns both individual persons whose image may be captured by a police officer wearing such "smart glasses," as well as the police officers themselves, who will be continuously monitored. Ethical aspects are also at play here. To what extent can we limit the right to privacy of public officials in order to enhance the safety of society as a whole? What should be the boundaries of the "workplace" in this situation?
Another possible area where security and public order services will utilize advanced technologies is cyberspace, particularly social media platforms. This is not about gathering information on individuals, but rather about creating a space where the police could engage with the community to build cooperation and mutual understanding. According to the participants of the study, information provided by residents of a given area allows the police to effectively engage in solving local problems.
Warriors or Guardians?
The implementation of new technological means into service also necessitates the guarantee of civil liberties and privacy. Many new technologies can have serious consequences for both parties, and these must be addressed before innovations hit the streets. For example, will a police officer's retrieval of data regarding the criminal history of a person detained on the street constitute a violation of that person's right to privacy?
Additionally, it should be noted that modern technologies are merely tools in the hands of police officers. Nothing can replace information and training that can help utilize the technologies already at the disposal of the services more effectively.
