The Rise of Big Data Policing
Surveillance, Race, and the Future of Law Enforcement
by Andrew Guthrie Ferguson
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Pub Date Oct 03 2017 | Archive Date Jan 08 2018
Description
Winner, 2018 Law & Legal Studies PROSE Award
The consequences of big data and algorithm-driven policing and its impact on law enforcement
In a high-tech command center in downtown Los Angeles, a digital map lights up with 911 calls, television monitors track breaking news stories, surveillance cameras sweep the streets, and rows of networked computers link analysts and police officers to a wealth of law enforcement intelligence.
This is just a glimpse into a future where software predicts future crimes, algorithms generate virtual “most-wanted” lists, and databanks collect personal and biometric information. The Rise of Big Data Policing introduces the cutting-edge technology that is changing how the police do their jobs and shows why it is more important than ever that citizens understand the far-reaching consequences of big data surveillance as a law enforcement tool.
Andrew Guthrie Ferguson reveals how these new technologies —viewed as race-neutral and objective—have been eagerly adopted by police departments hoping to distance themselves from claims of racial bias and unconstitutional practices. After a series of high-profile police shootings and federal investigations into systemic police misconduct, and in an era of law enforcement budget cutbacks, data-driven policing has been billed as a way to “turn the page” on racial bias.
But behind the data are real people, and difficult questions remain about racial discrimination and the potential to distort constitutional protections.
In this first book on big data policing, Ferguson offers an examination of how new technologies will alter the who, where, when and how we police. These new technologies also offer data-driven methods to improve police accountability and to remedy the underlying socio-economic risk factors that encourage crime.
The Rise of Big Data Policing is a must read for anyone concerned with how technology will revolutionize law enforcement and its potential threat to the security, privacy, and constitutional rights of citizens.
Read an excerpt and interview with Andrew Guthrie Ferguson in The Economist.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781479892822 |
| PRICE | $89.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 272 |
Featured Reviews
Darren I, Media/Journalist
Big Data brings a lot of challenges and benefits to business and the world is seemingly focussing on these presently, but equally law enforcement is engaged with big data although so-far it has escaped a lot of scrutiny, other than the age-old privacy and ‘Big Brother’-type warnings.
This is a fascinating book that looks at Big Data from a law enforcement perspective, considering the impact and benefits it is bringing as well as examining the risks and areas that need to be considered. It can also be considered on a tangent, focussing on political, sociological and public interests too. Big Data is developing and what may be possible in the future can eclipse what is present today – this cannot be viewed in isolation. The author has done a great job in bringing all the issues together.
A lot of Big Data-related initiatives are being coached as benefits by virtue of being race-neutral, wholly objective and not possibly discriminatory. Others may suggest that the ‘machines’ only react to the way they are processed and, of course, while it requires humans to do the last-leg bit of policing the ‘human imperative’ and its possible biases can be in play, with blind eyes deployed as necessary. Both elements can be valid, of course, although should the data and its processing be entirely free of bias, society may not be ready for some of the revelations that can emerge.
The book takes a hard look at the technologies that can affect and alter the who, where, when and society is policed. It is written from a U.S.-perspective although the same issues will exist in other countries. It was very engaging, well-written, accessible and quite impartial. Excellent referencing is used throughout to aid future research and study.
Some of the issues may be viewed as being alarming and you must hope that sufficient control can be deployed, yet many of the benefits can also be applauded and welcomed. With careful reading, consideration and implementation, it is quite possible that those interested in non-policing issues can derive other benefits for their own industry interests too.
The Rise of Big Data Policing, written by Andrew Guthrie Ferguson and published by NYU Press. ISBN 9781479892822. YYYYY
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