The use of GPS technology by law enforcement agencies is increasing rapidly. Listed below are a few of the ways that it has been used or might be used in the future. If you would like to share additional ideas on how GPS can be used please email them to:
GPS Use in Law Enforcement:
Tracking
Suspected Criminals: GPS units have been used
to record and monitor the movements of crime suspects.
Use of such information to aid in a conviction or
an investigation has been challenged by defendants
as an infringement of their privacy.
Tracking
Convicted Criminals: GPS bracelets can be placed
on selected felons on parole to monitor their movements.
For example: the system could monitor if criminals
are staying away from the homes of their victims,
traveling to work each day or going near schools.
Such systems can be used to verify that certain
restraining orders are being obeyed.
Online
Crime Maps: The San Francisco police department
is running an online GIS that allows the public
to create maps of the locations of different categories
of crimes which have occurred over the past 90 days.
This is part of their philosophy of keeping the
public well informed.
Appeal
You Speeding Ticket With GPS Data: A few individuals
cited for speeding have produced GPS tracking information
from their on-board GPS to appeal their ticket.
Maybe the officer stopped the wrong car or his radar
was malfunctioning?
