Operational Technologies
The IACP Technology Center assists law enforcement agencies in planning and effectively deploying technology to meet their evolving operational needs through research, training, technical assistance, standards development, professional development, advocacy, and outreach. The operational technologies addressed by the IACP Technology Center include Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management Systems (RMS), Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR), In-Car Cameras, Red Light Cameras, Digital Video Evidence Standards, Biometric Identification Technologies, and other enforcement technologies.
Biometric Identification Technologies
Technological advances have greatly expanded the ability of law enforcement to establish and verify the identity of persons with biometric precision. The emergence of automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) and live-scan fingerprint capture devices revolutionized latent fingerprint processing and enabled law enforcement to positively identify suspects and close cases that would otherwise have remained unsolved. Breakthroughs in DNA typing, facial recognition, iris scanning, voice recognition, and a host of other biometric measures have also proven critical in verifying and establishing identity.
The FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) program is leading the development of state-of-the-art biometric identification services that will benefit all law enforcement. NGI will support a host of identification capabilities, including interstate photo system enhancements, advanced fingerprint identification technology, enhanced IAFIS repository, national palm print sytems, and multimodal biometrics capabilities.
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR)
Automated license plate recognition systems, or LPR systems (License Plate Readers) as they are commonly known, play an increasingly important role in public safety by enhancing productivity, effectiveness, and officer safety. LPR systems are able to recognize, read, and compare motor vehicle license plates against various "hot lists" much more efficiently than officers manually scanning and making comparisons while on patrol. LPR systems can observe and record thousands of plates an hour in various lighting and weather conditions. LPR systems consist of high-speed cameras and sophisticated computer algorithms capable of converting the images of license plates into computer-readable data. The technology automatically compares license plates against key databases (e.g., stolen and wanted vehicles), and records the date, time, and location at which the image was captured. The technology has proven particularly effective for law enforcement in a variety of operational settings.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police passed a resolution about License Plate Reader (LPR) technology during the 2007 IACP Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana:
"This resolution strongly encourages the U.S. Congress to fully fund license plate reader and related digital photographing systems, including interrelated information sharing networks, for the northern and southern borders of the United States and encourages all countries to use like technology, to the extent possible, to share appropriate law enforcement information."
License Plate Readers Privacy Impact Assessment Report
In response to the growing implementation of License Plate Readers in law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. and around the world, the IACP, through the LEIM Section, has developed a Privacy Impact Assessment Report for the Utilization of License Plate Readers (PDF) for law enforcement. Published September 2009, the report assesses privacy issues that may emerge as LPR systems are implemented and license plate information is captured. The report is designed to evaluate the impact LPR systems can have on the public's privacy interests and to make recommendations for the development of information management policies intended to govern an agency's operation of an LPR system.
Policy and Operational Guide for Law Enforcement License Plate Reader Systems
The License Plate Reader (LPR) Systems: Policy and Operational Guidance for Law Enforcement project employs a structured and multi-dimensional approach to identify and consolidate lessons learned from agencies who have successfully implemented LPR technology. Funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), IACP Technology Center staff are working with agencies and preparing a report addressing policy and operational issues for the successful implementation of LPR in order to support replication and customization across law enforcement agencies. Publication of the LPR Policy and Operational Guide is expected in 2010. For more information on the privacy impact assessment or the policy and operational guide, contact Meghann Casanova.
In-Car Cameras
The Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) office funded IACP in 2002 to conduct a nationwide study of in-car cameras, focusing on those in use by state police and highway patrol COPS grant recipients. The resulting report, The Impact of Video Evidence on Modern Policing, (PDF) demonstrated that in-car cameras provided a substantial value to agencies using them, including enhancing officer safety, improving agency accountability, reducing agency liability, simplifying incident review, enhancing new recruit and in-service training, and enhancing officer performance and professionalism. For more information, please contact: Mike Fergus
Focus on In-Car Camera DVD
In-car camera systems have become an essential tool in modern law enforcement. However, for all its benefits, an in-car camera doesn’t guarantee officer buy-in or program success. This video demonstrates how planning and implementation are the keys to a successful in-car camera program that protects officers, their departments, and the citizens they serve. View the In-Car Camera Video on-line.
In-Car Video Camera Systems Performance Specifications
Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Office of Science and Technology, the IACP established a Digital Video Systems (DVS) Advisory Panel in March 2005 that included voluntary participation from law enforcement practitioners, video system manufacturers, and the scientific and technical community. Six task groups were formed to address specific components of the technical specifications document: quality measurement, data security, operational measurements, officer safety, interoperability, and testing and certification. The project produced performance specifications for in-car digital video camera systems, which are provided in the following publication: In-Car Video Camera Systems Performance Specifications: Digital Video Systems Module Digital Video Systems Minimum Performance Specifications Document Version 14 - 11/21/2008 (PDF).
IACP is in the early stages of building performance standards for In-Car Cameras, Interview Room Recorders, and License Plate Recognition systems. For more information, please contact: Michael Fergus
Technology Desk Reference: A Planning and Management Guide (TDR)
This on-line resource provides a wealth of tips and insight for law enforcement executives on how to identify departmental technology needs, and effectively address, manage, and overcome real-world technology challenges. 
Gain critical information on five technologies:
Red Light Camera System Specifications
These Red Light Camera System Minimum Performance Specifications have been created cooperatively with IACP law enforcement membership, industry professionals and scientific academia to provide comprehensive minimum performance specifications recommendations. Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to use the IACP Red Light Camera System Minimum Performance Specifications when reviewing existing installations, developing new policies, program plans, or when purchasing and implementing a new Red Light Camera System as a component of a crash reductions strategy. As the build out of this professional assistance membership service continues, IACP will publish a Conforming Product List of Red Light Camera Systems which have been tested for accuracy and reliability and meet these minimum performance specifications.
Red Light Camera System Minimum Performance Specifications (PDF)
For more information, contact Sarah Horn