Big Data and How It’s Transforming Law Enforcement Data Sharing

Various industries, including law enforcement, have acknowledged the influence and impact of data. Although the idea of tackling crime by analyzing data still seems foreign or pegged on fiction, law enforcement officers currently use data and advanced technology to combat crime. Moreover, policymakers and law enforcement officers have acknowledged the importance of big data in the law enforcement industry.

What is Big Data?

Simply put, big data refers to a large amount of structured and unstructured data that an organization collects to gather actionable intelligence. Organizations use artificial intelligence analytic tools to analyze and deduce vital information that helps them make informed decisions.

This has numerous benefits. It gives insight that you can’t get through normal research. Additionally, it plays a big role in the analysis of patterns and behavior. In law enforcement, officials systematically collect and analyze discrete information to track and monitor potential criminals. They also use this information to expand social services and improve global governance.

Currently, there is no law regulating this type of information. However, there are legal restrictions that govern data collection. Most of these laws are limited to specific types.

How Big Data has Transformed Law Enforcement

Crime prediction

Since information sharing has significantly improved across the government levels, law enforcement officers can analyze and predict crime. By doing so, they can prevent the perpetrators from committing a specific crime. A good example is how the National Security Agency (NSA) analyzes information to prevent terrorist plans from materializing. Law enforcement officers also use data to predict cybercrime and stop the perpetrators from committing the crime.

Another good example is how the Los Angeles Police Department analyzes big data to predict when and where crime will happen.

Preventing fraudulent activities

Individuals and companies alike are not immune to fraudulent activities. Luckily, through data sharing, law enforcement officers can detect suspicious activities before they occur.

Relying on past information, officials use advanced algorithms to pinpoint potentially fraudulent activities. They then alert the necessary authorities to interrupt the suspicious activity.

Improving global governance

People throughout the world battle the same problems, including climate change, health hazards, crippled economies, and so much more. Through data sharing, law enforcement officers gain valuable knowledge that helps them develop logical solutions to problems.

Simply put, this enables authorities to stay informed, get a global picture of situations, and give citizens important information that would help them make informed decisions. Note that predictive analytics merely acts as advice and not a verdict.

Social services expansion

Law enforcement officers get the information that can help them improve social services and programs. For instance, officials can use the information they obtain to assist people living in disaster-prone neighborhoods.

Data scientists make the information available to the government. The government then collaborates with law enforcement officers, community workers, and NGOs to identify homes affected by natural disasters, e.g., floods, and offer relief assistance.

This also comes in handy when the government is working on lowering unemployment rates in communities. Officials can use intelligence gathered to allocate resources to communities that need them most. Thus, improving communities’ living standards and lowering crime rates.

Get Started with a Big Data Analytics Partner

With the emerging technology, there is a high chance that data analytics will be a major part of law enforcement. We offer analytics that enables organizations to gather crucial information on various subjects. Contact us today and start your free trial.