National Institute of Justice (NIJ): technology challenges

Abstract

Law enforcement agencies play a key role in protecting the nation from and responding to terrorist attacks. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the focal point for the research, development, test and evaluation of technology for law enforcement. NIJ and the Department of Homeland Security's Directorate of Science & Technology (DHS S&T) have related missions to support research and technology development for public safety. DHS S&T provides law enforcement agencies technology to respond to terrorist threats involving weapons of mass destruction, while NIJ focuses on technologies applicable across the spectrum of law enforcement needs. Investment in C3I technology offers perhaps the greatest potential benefit with respect to improving the ability to law enforcement agencies to respond to all types of crime including terrorist acts. Providing effective communications and information systems remains a key technology challenge, as does providing law enforcement responders accurate information that they can act on. Sensors and surveillance systems can play a key role in identifying terrorists and preventing or effectively responding to a terrorist attack.