Technology and Policing

This book offers a global and critical investigation into how technology is transforming the practices, cultures, and ethics of policing. Through international case studies spanning the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Australia, it explores the integration of crime analysis, predictive policing, cybercrime response, surveillance tools, and artificial intelligence into law enforcement operations. The chapters examine how technological tools—from real-time data systems to drones and AI—are increasingly central to crime prevention and investigation. Yet, rather than treating these tools as neutral or universally beneficial, the book foregrounds the institutional, cultural, and political contexts in which they operate. It considers how these technologies reflect and reinforce existing assumptions about crime, risk, and criminality, often in ways that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Drawing on the perspectives of both experienced practitioners and academic researchers, the book critically engages with issues such as the portrayal of policing technologies in media, the ethical limits of AI in law enforcement, and the challenges faced by police agencies in responding to cybercrime. It additionally highlights how police organizations navigate the promises and perils of technology, often without adequate oversight, resources and financial budgeting, and how innovation can sometimes outpace accountability and organizational implementation. By examining how technologies are deployed, interpreted, and contested within specific policing environments, this volume contributes to wider discussions around surveillance, data justice, and algorithmic governance. It offers practical insights and policy recommendations aimed at improving police effectiveness while addressing the social implications of emerging technologies and their use by police agencies.