Police Surveillance Machines: A Short History

Abstract

Our experiences with surveillance machine adoption have led to many foreseeable consequences that hold lessons about surveillance technology markets, private power, and police reform. However, these questions of private power, police agencies as consumers, surveillance platforms, and limited public access and input are not limited to this experience. Many new police technologies will arise in the same way. If we are to effectively use technologies to bring about a more just law enforcement system, we must design police systems of procurement and use in a manner that emphasizes democratic, not private, control. Our experience with police body cameras provides us with a cautionary tale.

Keywords: police, surveillance, body cameras, platforms, artificial intelligence

JEL Classification: K14