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Northern Essex Community College

Module 14 Prep Activity

Review the activity overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

Technology continues to transform every aspect of policing. Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, drones, facial recognition software, autonomous systems, digital forensics, cybercrime investigations, and advanced surveillance technologies are changing how law enforcement agencies prevent crime, conduct investigations, and allocate resources. While these technologies offer significant opportunities, they also raise concerns regarding privacy, civil liberties, ethics, accountability, and public trust.

This activity asks you to evaluate emerging law enforcement technologies and consider how they may shape the future of policing. You will prepare arguments supporting competing perspectives regarding the benefits and risks associated with technological innovation in criminal justice.

Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the prep activity and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Identify emerging technologies that may influence the future of law enforcement. (SLO6)
  • LO2: Evaluate the benefits and challenges associated with advanced policing technologies. (SLO6)
Prep Topic
  • Law enforcement agencies are increasingly adopting new technologies to combat traditional crimes, cybercrime, financial crimes, identity theft, and emerging criminal threats. Supporters argue that technology improves efficiency and public safety, while critics worry about privacy, government surveillance, and unintended consequences.
  • Create a bullet list of arguments supporting both positions below.
  • Position A: Law enforcement agencies should aggressively adopt emerging technologies because they improve crime prevention, investigative capabilities, officer safety, and public security.
  • Position B: Law enforcement agencies should cautiously adopt emerging technologies because they create significant concerns regarding privacy, civil liberties, accountability, bias, and government overreach.
  • Prepare at least five talking points supporting each position.
  • Identify at least three emerging technologies currently being tested, developed, or implemented by law enforcement agencies.
  • Consider technologies such as:
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Predictive policing systems
    • Facial recognition software
    • Autonomous drones
    • Robotics
    • Cybercrime investigation platforms
    • Digital forensic tools
    • Financial crime detection software
    • Identity theft detection systems
    • License plate readers
    • Smart surveillance systems
    • Real-time crime centers
  • After preparing arguments for both positions, identify one technology you believe will have the greatest impact on policing over the next twenty years and explain why.
  • Be prepared to defend either position during the in-class debate regardless of your personal opinion.
  • If assigned by your instructor, bring one video example demonstrating an emerging law enforcement technology for class discussion.
Acceptable & Ethical Use of AI
  • You may use AI tools to help identify emerging law enforcement technologies and current pilot programs; however, you should independently verify any information before including it in your prep activity.
  • If you use AI to assist with brainstorming or research, your final prep must reflect your own analysis, conclusions, and understanding of the course material.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your prep activity.

  • Your prep should be no longer than 1 page.
  • This NOT a paper but rather talking points in bullets for our in-class meeting.
  • Abstract NOT needed.
  • Sources are NOT needed.
  • Submissions are checked against a Plagiarism Checker and AI Detector.
    • Direct quotes should not exceed 15% of the total paper.
    • AI Usage – you must use AI ethically. Papers written by an AI is cheating.
  • Stop over-thinking this activity. It should be a simple list of talking points.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your prep activity through the designated submission area.
  • Accepted formats include Word or PDF unless otherwise specified.
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
  • Submissions are checked using both a plagiarism checker and AI detection software.
  • Direct quotations should not exceed 15% of the total submission.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. AI may be used only in the limited and ethical ways described above. Using AI to write your submission is considered academic dishonesty. This activity is intended to prepare you for class discussion, so focus on creating your own talking points and analysis.