Title

Using gunshot detection systems in police departments: The impact on police response times and officer workloads

Abstract

Gunshot detection systems are defined as technologically advanced acoustic sensing systems capable of identifying, discriminating and reporting gunshots within one second of a shot being fired. Manufacturers of gunshot detection systems propose that the technology can significantly decrease officer response times to random gunfire calls for service as well as indirectly control random gunfire problems. Our paper examines some of the organizational imphcations of using gunshot detection systems in local law enforcement agencies. Drawing from a two-month field trial of a gunshot detection system implemented in Dallas, Tex., our paper explores the impact of the technology on officer response times and officer workloads. Our results suggest that implementation of gunshot detection technology in Dallas reduced officer response times by about one minute (7% reduction) yet significantly increased officer workloads. © 1998 Police Executive Research Forum.

Publication Date

12-1-1998

Publication Title

Police Quarterly

Volume

1

Issue

2

Number of Pages

21-49

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1177/109861119800100202

Socpus ID

79959393972 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/79959393972

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