It has often been said that law enforcement is resistant to change. However, those of us leading the profession recognize that it is not resistance to change, but a drive to change in a measured, responsible way. Implementing new ideas simply because they are new, without thoroughly examining the potential benefits and potential pitfalls, can put our officers and communities at risk.

However, innovation is—and should continue to be—an important element of law enforcement in the 21st century. The world changes at a rapid pace, with new technologies and strategies used every day by both peaceful civilians and criminals. Our responsibility to our communities requires that we adapt and evolve with them in order to successfully protect them from new threats, meet their evolving needs, and connect with them in this quickly changing world that we all share.

In part because of the rate of change in today’s world—and the constantly