The primary concerns surrounding technology used by police relate to infringement of personal privacy, legal use of the technology, and bias that may inherently exist in the algorithms used. In order to create community acceptance, agencies should have a specific problem they are looking to solve with the technology and develop parameters and policy around how the technology will be used to include how success will be measured and acceptable use of the technology. Being transparent about the technologies we use and providing metrics showing its efficacy in lowering crime are paramount to community buy-in.

Historically, new technologies for law enforcement can cause concern, particularly if they give police access to public information, which might be perceived as encroachment on a citizen’s right to privacy. These legal resources can be perceived as an invasion of privacy, generating a lack of trust in the government. Education about legal protections in place and emerging technological capabilities is critical for community buy-in. One way to develop trust is through transparency. Education and even soliciting community input are great ways to develop long-lasting partnerships and alleviate concerns about the latest law enforcement technological advancements. The involvement of and partnerships with the community are essential for success and must be established before requesting buy-in from community members and organizations.

It’s imperative to communicate to stakeholders what specific issue an agency intends to address with a particular technology and what governance will be adopted to safeguard privacy and civil liberties. Departments should consider not only communicating with their communities but also striving to actively engage with them as policies and use cases are considered.

Agencies need to ensure they are being good stewards of the data they collect. Cyber attacks directed at law enforcement will continue and departments that fail to secure confidential information about victims, informants, or their own personnel risk losing the confidence of their communities.

Police can leverage innovative solutions while still preserving trust. As Steve Jobs said, “It’s not a faith in technology. It’s faith in people.”

The evolving government policy poised at creating a national identity database for Nigeria has gained an unusual momentum with its attendant divergent views. The government initiative on linking the mobile telephony SIM Numbers to National Identity Numbers (NINs) is viewed by some Nigerians as a direct affront on their right to privacy as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

However, with enabling legislation predicated on national safety and public interest, this public distrust is gradually waning, especially considering the numerous breakthroughs by the Nigeria Police Force using identity database technology in detecting terrorism, banditry, kidnap-for-ransom crimes, electronic fraud, etc.

The police in Nigeria and other internal security apparatus will be building on these successes to achieve more trust from the citizenry.