Technology in policing, policing in a technological society. Special Issue brief

Watson and Huey, in a 2020 article this Journal, point out that there is still little empirical research offering practice-focused perspective. This Special Issue responds to call by variety of empirically theoretically informed studies centred on technology use the policing crime, borders society more widely (e.g. surveillance). Contributions are inspired Adam Crawford's insightful notion ‘as product new technologies’ Andrew Barry's reflective analysis technical practices devices as integral elements organising governing ‘technological society’. These inspirations reflect interplay requirements practices, development, deployment governance technologies. A vital element understanding managing study how technologies imagined, adopted overseen, contribute anticipation changing needs. Two key addressed Issue: (a) technological knowledge production, shaping such institutional cultures, informing discourses intelligence-led evidence-based policing; (b) role creating legitimacy for policing. Eight contributions provide analyses ‘technology it happens’ practice-relevant case reflections developments. They address broad spread technologies, including drones, artificial intelligence firearms, forensic applications social media. In attending these examples, authors shed light aspects have so far been underexplored, using mix approaches from science technology, sociology/criminology. To ensure accessibility reader groups, each includes section highlighting lessons learnt society. first International Journal Police Science & Management bring comprehensive discussion Journal's audience. At same time, opens up interests wider audiences, those science, innovation studies, well criminology, innovatively merging three subject its contributions. Contributing analyse evaluate opportunities challenges with doing so, complexity relationship made accessible, evidencing that, Timmermans Berg wrote, always ‘technology-in-practice’. Context vital, not necessarily used intended, application cannot be considered neutral but must understood diverse other (investigatory, prosecutorial, judicial, institutional, societal, etc.). starting continue work supporting deliberation, widening scope perspectives involved, seeking communication collaboration across disciplinary boundaries: tearing down forts (silos) building fords (crossings).