Modernization and development as a motor of polity and policing

Abstract

[Excerpt] In the discourse of politicians and security force officials around the world, technology is frequently advanced as a powerful and innovative tool in the prevention, dissuasion and general struggle against crime. In the production of policies around the safety of goods and persons – that are enforced at local, regional, national and international levels – the use of advanced technological systems cuts across all areas of police activity. As the surveillance studies scholar Gary Marx wrote in 2002, in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the technological potential that aim at collecting personal information (for different uses) include: ‘video and audio surveillance, heat, light, motion, sound and olfactory sensors, night vision goggles, electronic tagging, biometric access devices, drug testing, DNA analysis, computer monitoring including email and web usage and the use of computer techniques such as expert systems, matching and profiling, data mining, mapping, network analysis and simulation’ (2002: 9). Amongst the technological devices that have gained a globally prominent role in policing activities over the last couple of decades is CCTV (closed-circuit television) and computerized forensic DNA databases. Both are seen as important technological tools in policing for improving efforts to detect crime and increase public safety and security.