The U.S. Department of Justice, in consultation with the law enforcement field, should broaden the efforts of the National Institute of Justice to establish national standards for the research and development of new technology. These standards should also address compatibility and interoperability needs both within law enforcement agencies and across agencies and jurisdictions and maintain civil and human rights protections.

Department
Number
3.1
Related Pillar
Pillar 3: Technology and Social Media

3.1 The U.S. Department of Justice, in consultation with the law enforcement field, should broaden the efforts of the National Institute of Justice to establish national standards for the research and development of new technology. These standards should also address compatibility and interoperability needs both within law enforcement agencies and across agencies and jurisdictions and maintain civil and human rights protections.

SPPD is committed to innovation

The Saint Paul Police Department is committed to using the latest technology, including body worn cameras and social media, to be transparent, provide exceptional service and communicate accurate, timely information about issues related to public safety and the department’s activities. The department develops and implements technology in ways that enhance public safety while protecting human rights and civil liberties. 

St. Paul police launch Emergency Notification System
FOX-9 | Sept. 21, 2016

Task Status: Established Practice

3.1.1 The Federal Government should support the development and delivery of training to help law enforcement agencies learn, acquire, and implement technology tools and tactics that are consistent with the best practices of 21st century policing.

SPPD Response

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

3.1.2 Address technological impact on privacy concerns in accordance with legal protections.

SPPD balances privacy and transparency

The public interest in transparency and personal privacy is balanced by elected representatives in Minnesota’s Government Data Practices Act. The Saint Paul Police Department complies with that legislative balance in its use of technology to enhance public safety. The department considers evidentiary integrity, personal privacy and public impact in its use of all technology systems. The department limits its collection of data to information reasonable and necessary for law enforcement, and necessary to meet public expectations and demands for accountable and transparent policing. 

Reference Data

G.O. 235.00
G.O. 160.06

Task Status: Established Practice

3.1.3 Deploy smart technology designed to prevent tampering or manipulating of evidence.

SPPD is committed to privacy

All technology used for law enforcement purposes must meet FBI Criminal Justice Information Security Standards, evidentiary integrity and retention requirements, and information privacy and official records regulations. 

Reference Data

Federal CJIS site

Task Status: Established Practice

3.1.3 Deploy smart technology designed to prevent tampering or manipulating of evidence.

SPPD is committed to integrity

The Saint Paul Police Department only purchases information systems for generating or storing digital evidence that are tamperproof, maintain an admissible chain of custody, track user activity and generate an audit trail.  

Reference Data

G.O. 440.00 

Task Status: Established Practice

Last Edited: March 20, 2017