The regulation of cell phones in law enforcement

Abstract

In this technological age, policing has become depersonalized; citizens fault the police officers for being unresponsive and unfamiliar. Although there is much substance in the public concern, one must be conscious of the fact that police officers are agents of public organizations. Therefore, law enforcement agencies are structurally and procedurally bound by government legislation. Denhardt (2004) states, from this perspective, "the law enforcement agency is recognized not only as being an arm of government but also playing a significant role in the government process" (p.8). Consequently, technology that is employed in policing is provided and authorized by the governing body. The allocation of technology and imprecise technological procedures have created an adverse discrepancy in the use of technology among police and criminals, this also causes misuse and abuse of technology that would other wise be of assistance to police work. The influence of cell phones in law enforcement was the focus of this research project. Due to a lack of prior research conducted on this matter, this study serves as a foundation for future research can build upon. This was an exploratory research study that attempted to determine if law enforcement agencies that allowed cell phone use among patrol officers were more likely to have a cell phone policy. If the agency does have a policy, does the policy distinguish between personal and agency - and does the agency warn officers of potential health risk. This research also described what common language in cell phone policies was as they relate to law enforcement agencies. The findings of this research demonstrated that most cell phone use, as it pertain to law enforcement agencies, among on duty patrol officers is personal cell phones that are highly accepted and widely unmanaged. Most law enforcement agencies were found to have no non-departmental cell phone policy, while agencies were just about even according to the findings of the question that addressed department cell phones.