The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) provides the Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary as a service to law enforcement, corrections, and forensic science practitioners. The Summary includes abstracts of articles from major newspapers, business magazines, Web sites, national and international wire services, and periodicals focusing on law enforcement and corrections technology. Please note that providing synopses of articles on law enforcement and corrections technology or the mention of specific manufacturers or products does not constitute the endorsement of the U.S. Department of Justice or NLECTC. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary should be cited as the source of the information.

November 15, 2007

We are always interested in our readers' comments and feedback about this service. Please send your comments, questions, or suggestions to asknlectc@nlectc.org.

NLECTC Spotlight

Increase Your Knowledge of Less-Lethal Devices

Law enforcement and corrections officers often use different labels for the same less-lethal device. To promote a better understanding of less-lethal devices—including operation, tactics, and terminology—NIJ is seeking volunteers to take a detailed, Web-based pilot course taught through the Penn State Fayette's Center for Community and Public Safety. This 60-hour course provides:

• An overview of less lethal capabilities.
• An overview of the force continuum and rules of engagement.
• Currently available less lethal technologies.
• General legal, political, ethical and medical considerations involved with the use of less lethal devices.
• Use and the roles less-lethal capabilities play in different scenarios.

NIJ will sponsor training costs to agency participants who complete the 60-hour online course and provide NIJ with an evaluation of the course. If your agency is interested in participating and can dedicate the time, please view the course description and contact Monique Exum. She will assist volunteers with registration.

Department of Justice Body Armor Workshop Presentation from 2007 IACP Conference

At the 114th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, staff from the National Institute of Justice and the National Institute of Standards and Technology conducted the “Department of Justice Body Armor Workshop.” To view the presentation (PowerPoint®) from that workshop click here.

Technical Bulletin Regarding the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Law Enforcement

NIJ issued a technical bulletin regarding the use of unmanned aircraft systems by law enforcement. The bulletin provides important information for law enforcement to consider prior to the purchase and/or operations of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Click here for additional information.

ShotSpotter Project
NLECTC-Southeast

NLECTC-Southeast is currently providing technical assistance to Birmingham (Alabama) Police Department as that department installs the ShotSpotter gunshot location system. As of August 2007, 86 sensor sites have been selected and the department has received signed permission to install sensors at 80 of these locations. In addition, Southeast Center staff are assisting Richland County (South Carolina) Sheriff's Department with the installation and testing of a new hybrid system developed by ShotSpotter. The hybrid system employs sensors based on both wired telephone lines and wireless cellular data modems. For more information on gunshot location systems and evaluations of the ShotSpotter technology, contact NLECTC-Southeast at 800-292-4385 or nlectc-se@nlectc-se.org.

Emergency Management System Pilot Project
NLECTC-West

From August 14–16, 2007, staff from NLECTC-West facilitated the installation of a software system at Claremont (California) High School as part of an NIJ technical pilot program to test an emergency management system. The system is based on requirements developed in response to the Columbine High School shooting and subsequent changes in response to active shooter scenarios. Staff also participated in a 2-day active shooter training drill. For more information about this project, contact NLECTC-West, 888-548-1618 or nlectc@law-west.org.

Public Safety Technology in the News

The City of Chicago's OEMC and IBM Launch Advanced Video Surveillance System
CNNMoney.com (09/27/07), Marketwire

As part of Chicago's Operation Virtual Shield, a citywide video surveillance system, IBM announced it's partnership with the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to put into operation an advanced citywide intelligent security system. During phase one, IBM worked with city officials and staff to design and implement a surveillance policy for capturing, monitoring, and indexing video for various public safety applications. Now Chicago OEMC and IBM are collaborating to expand the system and include analytics that will allow for license plate recognition, trend forecasting, and intelligent search capabilities to the existing system.