Impact of New Technology In the Public Sector In England - Essay Example

? Metropolitan Police department in England have exponentially embraced the use of information and technology in their service provisions. They have invested huge amounts of money through the government in implementing the Automatic Number Plate Recognition with the objective of improving the quality of their services to the citizens. The police departments are aggressively adopting this technology. However, much has not been done to find out the effect of this new technology on service delivery and customer satisfaction in the police sector. This study therefore, sought to establish the effect of Automatic Number Plate Recognition on security issues in England. Specifically, the study sought to establish the outcome of ANPR as a new technology in England, determined the effect of ANPR on the operations of the police and found out the challenges faced by the police department on the use of ANPR services in the police sector. This study was exploratory. The study used both qualitative and quantitative data questionnaires, interviews and observations to collect both primary and secondary data. The research employed simple random sampling in choosing and selecting the respondents. The Sample of 100 respondents out of the population of all the police in England was collected. Data collected in this study was analyzed using content analysis by identifying the relevant information so as to capture knowledge and perception concerning the impact of Automatic Number Plate Recognition in the metropolitan police sector. Statistical tests were also used to determine the relationships between the variables using SPSS. The aim of this study was to assist the police department and England citizens to improve their services in a way geared towards security empowerment to all involved stakeholders (content.met.police.uk). Background of the Study The development of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition is probably the most significant phenomenon of the metropolitan police department. It embodies these essential aspects of the security services such as; arresting criminals, robbers, and drug peddlers, uninsured, untaxed and unlicensed vehicles on the road. The first ANPR was introduced in 1976 by the police scientific development branch in the UK and the operation began in 1979.The first arrest was made in 1981 which was a stolen car. A number of persons have also been credited for the development of the ANPR to the modern structure, among them include; Bernard Hogan Howe, a metropolitan commissioner in the UK. The scope of offered services includes facilities to curb rising insecurity, drug trafficking, uninsured vehicles, untaxed and unlicensed vehicles. Following the recent innovations in the last decade, especially the introduction of the ANPR, cases of insecurity has been on the decrease. Police and security services have been able to track all the vehicles. This technology can store images and also text from the license plate. Statement of the Problem Stakeholders in the security sector have realized the need to embrace this technology in the country. The increase of the use of ANPR has been associated with a number of factors such as; it saves valuable police time, saves valuable police resources, helps in advancing investigation, it enforces arrest. Research Questions This Study was guided by the following research questions: 1. To what extent do the police departments embrace ANPR? 2. To what extent do the ANPR contribute to the efficiency? 3. What are the challenges faced by the security personnel in the adoption of the ANPR? Objectives of the Study Overall Objective: The overall objective of this study was to establish the effect of ANPR service delivery in the police sector. Specific Objectives: Specifically, the study sought to: 1. Establish the use and management of ANPR technology in the security sector. 2. To determine the effect of ANPR technology on the operations of police in England. 3. To find out the challenges faced by the police on the use of ANPR services in the police sector. Scope of the Study Our study was primarily set within England context, with the focus on metropolitan police in England to explore and evaluate the effects of the ANPR on English. This area was preferred for the study because ANPR was first introduced in UK and also the presence of many vehicles on the roads in the United Kingdom. Significance of the Study The findings of the study are useful to different stakeholders of the population. Firstly, UK citizens can use the study to educate themselves in order not to be on the wrong side of the law. Secondly, the findings of this study can be used by security personnel to control cases of rising insecurities in England. The study has exposed the Strengths and Weaknesses of this technology. Empirical Observation ANPR Usage Use of the ANPR has become extremely popular among security personnel as a convenient means of curbing insecurity in various countries. Countries are aggressively adopting this mode. Bernard (2012) noted that suspected vehicle involved in money laundering was identified using ANPR; three large bags of cocaine and a loaded firearm were recovered in a concealed compartment leading to the arrest of the person involved. Islam (2012) examined the satisfaction of the ANPR in England. The study found a significant relationship between ANPR and the state of country’s security. He acknowledged drug peddling; robbery with violence and the increased number of sexual assault were the major contributors of insecurity in England. In another study in the United States, SAUNDERS, et al (2007) found that 24 hour service, accuracy and convenient locations for ANPR were the main predictors of security satisfaction. The study also indicated lack of a privacy for instance tracking citizen’s movement, misidentification, high error rates and increased government spending in executing this technology. According to Joseph and John through, forecasts group studies in Amsterdam found that investment in Automatic Number Plate Recognition has enabled police to save valuable time, resources; it has also advanced investigations and enforces arrests (SAUNDERS, et al 2007). Researchers comment that the ANPR use and accessibility have a direct link with the state of security of a given country. Strong evidence exists in literature about citizens’ satisfaction from the ANPR (KUTNER, et al 2005) 2012 ANPR generated stop in Brent helped recover drugs that that were classified as class ‘A’ type valued at $45,000 and more than $320,000 in cash. There were also two arrests that were made. TFL in partnership with ANPR was used to identify a private vehicle suspected to be used in a serious sexual assault. This led to the arrest and suspect. Literature finds a large number of studies that highlight the satisfaction of the citizens, challenges while using Automatic Number Plate Recognition i.e. obstacle in the use of this technology that comes as a result of high spending by the government (MARCOULIDES,1998). He states that a large number of citizens are resistant to this new mode of service and prefers more personalized services because of the fact that it tracks an individual’s movement and also leads to misidentification. The researchers: Meller, Lewis and Bingham, noted that customers do not like ANPR because of the impersonality, vision problem, fear of technology and reluctance to change and adopt new mode delivery of service (MARCOULIDES, 1998). RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This section presented the methodology of the research and included the following: The research design, the study area, population, sample and sampling design, data type and data collection method, data analysis and presentation. Research Design, In this study, survey research and descriptive research were adopted. Survey research ensured that the data collected was more appropriate and provided answers to the research questions based on the effects of Automatic Number Plate Recognition. Descriptive research described the behavior, attitudes of security personnel and answered the qualitative research questions. Study Area, The study was conducted in England and its environs, which is located in Europe. The study dealt with the citizens and security personnel of England who are served by the metropolitan police commission. The area was chosen because of its geographical position in Europe, first country to introduce this technology and also presence of many cars in its roads. Moreover, past studies showed that England has the most number of insecurities in the region. These reasons made the data collected from this study area to be one of the most reliable in the country. Study Population and Sampling, In this research study, the target population included 150 respondents, who are employees of security personnel in the metropolitan police commission. Data Collection, The study used both qualitative and quantitative data, questionnaires, interviews and observations to collect both primary data and secondary data. Sample and Sampling Design, The research adopted simple random sampling in choosing and selecting the respondents. A sample of 100 customers was selected. Applying this technique led to a 95% level of accuracy and confidence and a 5% error margin. This threshold is within the acceptance of the business and the social researches. Questionnaires and interviews were targeted towards the customers in the study area (KUTNER, et al 2005). Data Collection Instrument and Validation, I first examined the questionnaires and ensured it was relevant, understandable and logical. The Kuder Richardson’s formula was used in the estimation of the internal consistency and ensured the questionnaires had a high reliability coefficient, suggesting the same skill and knowledge base (www.gigawiz.com). Data Analysis and Presentation, The questionnaire data gathered through interviews were analyzed using content analysis by identifying the relevant information so as to capture knowledge and perception concerning the impact of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (Marcoulides, 1998). The responses in the questionnaire were examined for completeness and consistency. Statistical tests were carried out to determine the relationships between the variables using SPSS and other relevant computer programmers. The analyzed data was summarized using statistical charts, graphs, frequency tables and percentages. It was also summarized in inferences and the necessary recommendations were made. Tests for independence such as the Chi-Squire Test and the Pearson’s’ Correlations were used. Conclusion From this study, there is a close relationship between use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition and decrease in insecurity. This is because before introduction of this technology department of commission experienced a high rate of insecurity in England. When it was introduced in 1979, there was a decrease in robbery, drug peddling, and sexual assault. The previous records show that the police department received 3426 robbery cases, 2600 sexual harassments, and 600 drug peddlers annually. These figures dropped significantly in the last two decades. Police department attributes this to the new technology. The technology has also led to valuable police time and resources, advance investigations and arrests. References: New approach to ANPR launched - Metropolitan Police Service. (n.d.). Home - Metropolitan Police Service. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from http://content.met.police.uk/News/New-approach- to-ANPR-launched/1400012148405/1257246741786 International Review of Business Studies Research papers, volume 6, no. 4 September 2010 pg145 -156 MARCOULIDES, G. A. (1998). Modern methods for business research. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum. KUTNER, M. H., LI, W., NACHTSHEIM, C. J., & NETER, J. (2005). Applied linear statistical models. Boston, Mass. [u.a.], McGraw-Hill Irwin. SAUNDERS, M., LEWIS, P., & THORNHILL, A. (2007). Research methods for business students. Harlow [u.a.], Financial Times Prentice Hall. Gigawiz Software Applications - Statistical and Multivariate Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Interactive Graphing. (n.d.). Gigawiz Software Applications - Statistical and Multivariate Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Interactive Graphing. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from http://www.gigawiz.com/ Appendix QUESTIONNAIRE Metropolitan commission official Letter of introduction This questionnaire is meant to collect data on the study on the Effects of Automatic Number Plate Recognition on security; a case study of England security. The Researcher, who is a student of CITY AND ISLINGTON COLLEGE, request you to complete the data required as truthfully as possible. The information obtained will be treated with confidentiality as possible and will not be used against management of metropolitan commission neither will it be disclosed to any other party whatsoever. 1 What are some of the complaints the commission receive from the citizens on security issues? a. Robbery with violence b. Sexual assault c. Drug peddling d. others 2 How have you created awareness on the use of the ANPR? We created awareness through the following: a. Government gazette b. Media c. Internet marketing d. Customer care personnel 3 What is the response of the customers towards the use of the ANPR services? Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor 4 a) Do you experience any hardship in the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition? Yes No b) If yes, please give a brief experience about the hardship…............................ 5 What are some of the measures that the commission takes to ensure that the person involved in crime is not misidentified? 6 How do you deal with high error rates that do occur due to ANPR? 7 What are the problems encountered in the installation of the ANPR services? 8 Is the use of the ANPR services cost efficient? Yes No Briefly explain. 9 In your view, what is the future of ANPR as a technology used to curb crimes? Read More