ROLES OF TECHNOLOGY IN MODERN POLICING

THE NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Technology has undoubtedly permeated our contemporary society's enforcement institutions, and Nigeria is no different. These technologies are being developed to help prevent crimes and improve the police's ability to address crime-related concerns. However, crime has been steadily increasing in recent years despite the utilization of technology.  As a result, this study examined the role of technology in contemporary policing from a Nigerian perspective. The study employed an analytic research design while social construction of technology theory served as its theoretical base. Reviewed studies revealed that it was in the 1990s that digital technologies such as computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, crime mapping software, and early data collection systems enabled law enforcement agencies to better analyse patterns in criminal activity and deploy resources. Furthermore, it was not in doubt that technology aids modern policing statutory service delivery to the public, ensuring a coordinated organisational framework capable of facilitating not just seamless operations, but also imbuing internal organisational dynamics. From the findings, it was recommended among others that as technology evolves, ethical concerns about privacy, bias and accountability must be addressed in order to ensure that technology is used fairly and responsibly.