Emerging Issues of Policing

Emerging Issues in society that changed Policing American society has always changed, evolved and like a domino effect manipulated the policing systems. When different issues change society it also brings out new crimes that previously had no rules or regulations on them. Once these crimes are done the criminal justice system reacts and makes laws that help stop the act and punish the criminal. There are three different categories that of emerging issues that affect policing like changes in the American society, modern technology, and terrorism.

Changes in American Society are unpredictable and policing system is the most affected this change. One aspect of the changing society in America is the aging population. After World War II the aging population has increased throughout the years and is expected to be even higher in the years to come.

This poses unique dilemmas for the criminal justice system. First, the elderly population depends on a fixed income and would vote against any tax increase that would sustain social infrastructure. They will also strain the social security system and Medicaid and this will be taken out of the taxpayers' money and will result in poorer schools recreational opportunities for their grandchildren. When these kids grow up, they will be low opportunities for them and an increase in juvenile crimes would be a problem. Second, the increase in the elderly population is not accompanied by an increase in births but a decrease. The imbalance between the two has criminologists worried because there would be challenges in recruiting, since the ages the departments are looking for are from 18 to 24. (Roberg 2012; Novak 2012; Cordner 2012; Smith 2012; p. 486-488).

A second aspect of the changes in American society is the diversity. There are thousands of cultures and ethnic groups that migrate to the United States from every continent. This affects policing in many different ways. Arrests in the United States are different than most countries. The book gave an example of the Vietnamese and how they are more likely to run away from a police officer during an arrest. Language is another barrier to police because the language difference makes it hard to communicate. Religion is also very miscellaneous, which makes it easy for people to persecute for their beliefs. (Roberg 2012; Novak 2012; Cordner 2012; Smith 2012; p. 488-489). Policing now have to be accountable for managing clashes between the different religious groups.

A third Aspect of the changes in American society is Economy. Economy can change is an instant and without any signs or warnings. It can result in unemployment, layoffs, budget cuts, rise of poverty, and government debts. Unemployment and poverty will increase the number of crimes because people need to eat and need money to survive. (Roberg 2012; Novak 2012; Cordner 2012; Smith 2012; p. 489-491). The demand for police services will increase but because of some of the budget cuts in police agencies it would not happen.

Modern technology is an emerging issue that has influenced policing in many ways. Modern technology has made it easier for police to patrol and monitor a community with computers, televisions, radios, and automobiles but it also made it less personal. The interaction that was intended for the Community Policing system is no longer there because police have a tendency to focus their awareness on the computers inside their car than outside their car to the community. (Roberg 2012; Novak 2012; Cordner 2012; Smith 2012; p. 499).

Suspect control and police officer safety is an important technology because it helps protect the police officer from violent offenders. There are new technologies that has emerged that assist the police to protect themselves from the suspects who try to harm them. (Roberg 2012; Novak 2012; Cordner 2012; Smith 2012; p. 501). There are the pepper spray, the tasers, and the rubber bullets that help police control offenders without using lethal weapons. These technologies reduced the number of firearms that would have previously been used on an offender to stop them from harming the police officer. The soft body armor or bullet proof vest