The use of technology can improve policing practices and build community trust and legitimacy, but its implementation must be built on a defined policy framework with its purposes and goals clearly delineated. Implementing new technologies can give police departments an opportunity to fully engage and educate communities in a dialogue about their expectations for transparency, accountability and privacy.

Law enforcement agencies and leaders need to be able to identify, assess and evaluate new technology for adoption and do so in ways that improve their effectiveness, efficiency and evolution without infringing on individual rights. The implementation of technology should be designed considering local needs and aligned with national standards. The adoption of model policies and best practices for technology-based community engagement that increases community trust and access should be a part of this effort.

Examples of the ways the police department demonstrates best practices in technology and social media

• The police department and city use ParkAlert (notification system), Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, GovDelivery email and text updates and a language line to communicate with the public and enhance safety.
• Annual police department reports and a regularly updated crime map are both available online.
• Police reports can be filed online through the department’s webpage.
• The department has a full-time dispatch center to direct and coordinate resources from police, fire and EMS that improves response times, outcomes and service.
• Body-worn cameras and squad cameras are used to allow for transparency and accountability in policing, protect the civil rights of the community, capture evidence and assist with accurate report writing. A policy was created with extensive input from community stakeholders, as well as an audit program that includes regular supervisory review of footage.
• Holster triggers are used to activate body-worn cameras since we recognize the importance of capturing this footage during critical incidents.
• Community members can submit feedback, compliments and complaints both in person at the police department and online through the department’s webpage.
• The department uses a variety of technology platforms to train and improve the outcomes for both officers and the public during critical incidents.
• The department complies with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act in the timely distribution of information requests.
• The department is in full compliance with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) audits when it comes to maintaining and securing sensitive information and the access to those relevant systems.
• Use-of-force data is submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is then forwarded to the FBI’s National Use-of-Force Data Collection program. With this data, the FBI creates reports to provide insight into an aggregate view of use-of-force incidents, including circumstance, subjects and officers involved.