Gunshot Detection System

Introduction Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, police departments and law enforcement agencies across the globe have implemented various new technologies. From body worn cameras to gunshot detection systems, police departments have been able to utilize these additional resources to further their missions and remain accountable. While body worn cameras are still being debated in 2018, gunshot detection systems seem to have fewer negatives associated with them. The rise of violent crime led to the need for such systems, as once gunshots had been reported somewhere, there was often little evidence left by the time police were informed and arrived (Choi et al., 2014, pg. 49). Because of this, police have difficulty when investigating scenes where gunfire was …show more content…
Their cost can be highly prohibitive, they only provide a slight reduction in response time for police officers to the scene, and they often lead to more follow up and work required than a citizen call (Mazerolle et al., 1998, pg. 46; Mazerolle et al., 1999, pg. 2). Mazerolle and her coauthors found in their 1998 study that gunshot detection systems found the without them, citizens reported only about 23% (pg. 2). As well, few arrests occur due to gunshot detection systems, as offenders will not stick around at the scene of the crime (Mazerolle et al., 1998, pg. 2). This predominantly shows how the effectiveness of gunshot detections systems would increase with the additional resource of utilizing them along with CCTVs. However, the same study that noted how gunshot detection systems could be lacking in benefit also noted that gunshot detection systems fit with law enforcement utilizing problem-orientated policing, as the “technology can help police identify random gunfire hot spots and develop strategies to address the problem” (Mazerolle et al., 1998, pg.