For nearly 15 years, I had the privilege of main the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Part. My job was easy in concept and sophisticated in actuality: discover harmful individuals who didn’t need to be discovered. Homicide suspects. Kidnappers. Violent offenders on the run. The sorts of instances the place each hour — typically each minute — can imply the distinction between life and demise.
Throughout my profession, expertise modified policing in profound methods. One of the crucial efficient instruments we used was automated license plate reader expertise, as was just lately used to trace down the alleged Brown College gunman. I’ve seen firsthand how this device helps regulation enforcement defend the general public — shortly, responsibly, and underneath strict oversight.
Let me be clear about one thing: this isn’t about surveillance for the sake of surveillance. It’s about fixing critical crimes and discovering individuals who pose actual threats to our communities.
Once you’re monitoring a fugitive who has already proven they’re keen to harm somebody, velocity issues. Earlier than instruments like this, investigators relied closely on ideas, hours of surveillance, prolonged interviews, and sluggish handbook processes. Whereas these methods are nonetheless utilized, at the moment, when a automobile related to a violent crime enters a group with digicam protection, officers can obtain real-time info that helps them act shortly and safely.
Working with our native regulation enforcement companions, we used this sort of expertise a number of instances throughout Amber Alerts. When a toddler is kidnapped, time is the whole lot. Each lead issues. With the ability to determine the place a suspect automobile was seen — typically inside minutes — is crucial in order that regulation enforcement can find that automobile as shortly as doable and produce the kid residence safely. These aren’t hypothetical situations. These are actual lives, actual households, actual outcomes.
One other vital level that always will get ignored: this expertise will not be a free-for-all.
There are strict controls and clear insurance policies governing how it’s used. Entry will not be limitless. Officers have to be skilled. They want safe login credentials. In lots of departments, a supervisor’s authorization is required earlier than searches may be carried out. Techniques are password-protected and exercise is logged, creating accountability trails. If somebody misuses the system, there are penalties. That’s how skilled policing works.
In my expertise, the officers utilizing this expertise perceive the duty that comes with it. It’s a necessary device — one which must be used correctly, documented fastidiously, and justified by professional regulation enforcement wants.
There’s additionally a sensible actuality communities ought to take into account: this expertise is each cost-effective and time-effective. Police departments in all places are stretched skinny. Instruments that assist officers work extra effectively enable assets to be deployed extra successfully.. They permit departments to deal with what issues most — stopping hurt and defending the general public.
Some fear that utilizing expertise like this implies sacrificing privateness. I perceive that concern and imagine we must always at all times ask onerous questions on how these instruments are deployed locally. However we also needs to have a look at the safeguards, the oversight, and the aim. This isn’t about monitoring peculiar individuals going about their every day lives. It’s about figuring out automobiles related to crimes and critical threats.
Communities that select to put in these programs aren’t selecting between security and freedom. With the fitting insurance policies, coaching, and accountability, they will have each.
From the place I stood — main groups attempting to apprehend essentially the most harmful and violent offenders— instruments like Flock Security license plate readers made an actual distinction. They helped us discover individuals sooner. They helped us convey victims residence. And sure, they helped save lives.
That’s not concept. That’s expertise.
Michael Farley is a retired main within the Massachusetts State Police.
