In today’s technological, fast-paced society, officers of the law have far more concerns and challenges than those of a few decades ago. As advancements in computer technologies and communications devices have assisted law-abiding citizens to create better lives, these technologies have also assisted criminals in creating new and improved criminal solutions.
First and foremost, as technologies have increased the ability of citizens to communicate with one another around the world for business and pleasure, those same technologies have increased the ability for criminals to communicate. With online underground message boards, email capabilities messenger services, and other forms of online communication, the internet has made it possible for virtual criminals to come together in an unseen format to commit crimes. Those interested in online crime are able to easily meet others in their field of expertise, without fear of detection.
In addition to loose groups of online criminals, even organized crime groups have begun to use the internet to further their criminal activities. As consumers spend more time online, and more money, organized crime groups have begun to target international companies in schemes called “phishing”. These schemes, similar to those by loose collections of criminals, target the consumer by mimicking actual companies who email users. When users click the hyperlinks within the email, they are taken to a fake site. As consumers unknowingly fill in information on this false site, the information is transferred back to the organized crime members. In 2002 alone, phishing by organized crime groups netted nearly $3 billion dollars worldwide, with nearly 70 organized crime groups concentrating solely on internet crimes (Mirel, 2002).
In addition to phishing, organised crime groups have begun to extort money from sites whose sole purpose is internet trade and commerce. Today’s criminals have the ability to completely shut down an online site through spamming, or repeated sending of information packets which eventually flood a web server. Extortionists often threaten to flood a site unless the group is paid a ransom. According to police, many sites pay rather than risking their online presence and incomes (Mirel, 2002).
The dynamics of the new challenges therefore makes it an imperative for continuous training of police. It is clearly not business as usual and as such, police have to be better educated, physically and mentally fit and equipped with the requisite technological skills.
And this has been alluded to by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee at the opening ceremony of a polce training course.
“Governments and law enforcement agencies in today’s world are facing many challenges, citizens of countries have been demanding better services from their police forces and, in order for the demands by citizens for better policing to be met by the police, there must be, in existence, properly trained policing organisations to carry out this mandate,” he declared.
The minister also made a most pertinent observation in that difficulties faced by our police should be used as a catalyst for development within the organisation.
“As is the case with many law-enforcement agencies, the Guyana Police Force is facing its own challenges. These difficulties must not be seen as impediments to the development of the force, but should be used as opportunities to further develop the organisation,” Rohee stated.
The minister urged the course participants to maintain their professional focus and surmount any difficulties confronting the force at this time. “This is a period in the history of the force when you have to strive as members of the organisation to look at the broader picture and hold on steadfastly to the motto of the force’s motto, ‘Service and Protection’, Rohee exhorted.
However, one of the major challenges our police force faces is enjoying the confidence of the people because of corruption and other negatives. But this is not a challenge of our police force only, as many other countries face a similar problem.
Director, National Center for Women & Policing (former chief of police of Portland, Or)Chief Penny E. Harrington had this to say:
“As we enter the 21st century, law enforcement administrators nationwide are facing a crisis of confidence from the people they are sworn to serve and protect. Corruption and brutality scandals have severely tarnished the public’s faith in the police. From the killings and brutalizing of citizens in New York City to the widespread corruption in the Los Angeles Police Department, more and more law enforcement administrators are faced with the task of reforming police departments…..with little guidance on how to bring about the necessary changes.
“This is not the first time in our country’s history that corruption and brutality have been front page news. Over the years, many commissions have been established to examine “what went wrong” in a particular law enforcement agency. From the Knapp Commission in New York in the 1960s to the Christopher Commission in Los Angeles in the 1980s, some of the best minds in the nation have tried to determine what causes brutality and corruption and how to prevent it from happening again.”
What is important to note is that these difficulties have been recognised and acknowledged; the more important aspect is how to rectify them.
As the famed philosopher, Karl Marx said: “Philosophers have interpreted the world in various ways, however, the point is to change it.”