Beyond the Beat: Ethical Considerations for Community Policing in the Digital Age, produced by the National Center for Victims of Crime and sponsored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, explores how police departments and communities might avoid legal and ethical pitfalls as they adopt information and communications technology (ICT) in community policing.

Community policing, which builds dynamic partnerships between communities and law enforcement, is now adapting technology (such as online crime reporting, virtual meetings, online community forums, and other tools) to enhance the effectiveness of the approach. Yet these tools raise questions about privacy, due process, and other legal and ethical concerns. Beyond the Beat identifies these issues and the questions community policing partners should consider before adopting ICT. News Release.


Beyond the Beat
Ethical Considerations for Community Policing in the Digital Age  (2.3MB)   

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Covers and Front Matter    Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction The evolution of community policing and information and communications technology  Chapter 2 Police and Communities Working Together Can technology help forge stronger partnerships? Chapter 3 Access to Technology Is it fair and equal?  Chapter 4 Handling Personally Identifying Information Who is at risk and what are the consequences? Chapter 5 Operational Requirements Are the critical elements in place? Chapter 6 Conclusion Is it the right thing to do? Chapter 7 Resources for Communities A. Guiding Principles and Best Practices: A Compact Reference for Police-Community ICT Projects B. Police-Community Discussion Guide Chapter 8 Appendices A. Panel Member Biographies B. References for Commissioned Papers C. Additional Resources for Police-Community ICT Projects

Commissioned Papers   (300KB)

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E-Governance Strategies: Tools to Enhance Community Policing by Ari Schwartz and Cynthia Wong Is the Information Highway a Clear Path to Better Police-Community Relations? Some Observations from the Beat and the Street by Bill Gellar Privacy Issues for Online Community Policing by Ari Schwartz and Cynthia Wong Privacy Considerations: A Focus on Criminal History Records by Bob Belair