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First Arrest and Warrant Database
New Orleans Police Department installs a vacumn-operated calculator that "summarizes" arrests & warrants. This is the first advance to record information about criminals and be able to quickly access that information. -
Invents Side-Handle Baton
Former Marine invents side-handle baton. Effectiveness causes most police agencies to adopt them. This event shows the rapid shift to more non-lethal methods of detaining a suspect. This method is widely used in today's law enforcement. -
First Computer-Aided Dispatch System
St. Louis Police Department installs first computer-assisted dispatch system. This allows for quicker dispatch of squad cars, therefore decreasing the response time of law enforcement, and increasing their efficiency. -
NLETS is Online
The National Law-Enforcement Telecommunications System is online, allowing police departments to communicate with each other easier. Inter-agency communication is crucial for coordinating efforts between cities. This system is still in use today, but is in it's more advanced form. -
Walkie Talkies are going Mainstream
Portable 2-way radios are being widely adopted by law enforcement agencies. Two-way communication between officers and dispatcers is essential for routing emergency services where they need to go. Contacting other officers to request help also becomes simple as well. -
911 is Adopted by AT&T
AT&T adopts 911 as emergency number, reaching police, fire, and other emergency services. This is the first large corporation that is creating a standardized, universial emergency number. This simple three digit number allows citizens to reach emergency services faster, and is in use today. -
NCIC is Online
FBI's database of wanted persons, stolen vehicles, and other items of worth is now online, and is being implemented nationwide. This allows a national coordination of effort in tracking and detaining suspects of crimes. Today's widely known database of wanted fugutives is appropriately named "America's Most Wanted List". -
NIJ Develops Body Armor
National Institute of Justice develop Kevlar-based body armor. It is lightweight, flexible, and comfortable. Since it's invention, it has saved countless lives by protecting vital organs from bullet injuries, and distributing the blunt force of a bullet's impact. Body armor is widely used today in both the military and local law enforcement. -
NIJ Studies Night Vision
The National Institute of Justice studies night-vision technology, which lead to the widespread use of night-vision today. Night vision revolutionized nightime surveillance and combat, allowing us to see at night without attracting attention with visible light (such as a flashlight). -
Stun Gun is Built
First electronic stun-gun is built by NASA researcher Jack Cover. A step is taken toward an effective means of decapacitating an agressive suspect, and is still widely used today. Using batteries and capacitors, stun guns can send a jolt of electricity though your body, therefore attacking your nervous system, and neutralizing any danger. -
First Fingerprint Reader
Rockwell Intl. installs first fingerprint reader at the FBI headquarters. This is a major milestone in biometric identification, allowing for an quick and secure way of protecting informaton, and as an access control system into buildings. -
E-911 is Implemented
Police departments implement enhanced 911. Dispatchers can no instantly receive the address & phone number of emergency callers. This revolutionizes emergency response because dispatchers can send law enforcement promptly to a location even if a call is disconnected. -
Pepper Spray Developed
Pepper spray is yet another major milestone in non-lethal ways to detain aggressive suspects. Using the extract of Oleoresin Capsicum, this neurotoxin can incapacitate by attacking the corneal and mucus membrane, sending a sharp pain thtough the nervous system, and swelling their face. -
90% of Police Departments Implement Computers
More than 90% of police departments are using computers for criminal investigations, budgeting, dispatch, and manpower allocation. This switch from human computing to comptuer computing shows the evolution and the slow transition to using computers for processing large amounts of data. -
NAS No Longer Doubt DNA
The National Academy of Sciences say that DNA evidence is undisputable. This breakthough allows DNA to be used in court as incriminating evidence because of it's unique nature. Matching DNA from a person and from a crime scene will now also be possible due to improving technology and the usage of it. -
AWCPSA Create Sex Offender Public Database
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 creates Sex Offender Public Database. They enact new registration requirements, and a system for finding missing or noncomplient sex offenders. This also allow citizens to know who in their area is a sex offender, and for law enforcement to track repeat offenders over different jurisdictions. -
Video Surveillance Adopted
Cities install video surveillance to better patrol communities. Citizens have more peace of mind, while some dispute that it is an invasion of privacy. Crime rates drop because criminals are afraid that their actions will be caught on footage, and criminals are caught faster, and have incriminating evidence against them in court.
