FBI, NYPD announce new technology initiatives

In two separate announcements issued yesterday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) announced new enhancements to law enforcement technology. The FBI will be working with Accenture on a $34 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. The NYPD is launching a new Domain Awareness System, a law enforcement technology solution that aggregates and analyzes existing public safety data streams in real time, providing NYPD investigators and analysts with a comprehensive view of potential threats and criminal activity.

The IDIQ supports network and enterprise architecture, building and executing technology solutions and IT support services and training. The FBI will use these services to support the bureau’s networks, provide operational training and assist in project development and integration. The FBI also recently awarded Accenture a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) and four task orders to install an enterprise resource planning system to support the FBI’s Human Resources Information System (HRIS).

“The FBI is strategically enhancing its technical capabilities to meet its mission and support its personnel globally,” said Jennifer Pratt, who leads Accenture’s work with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The NYPD system was jointly developed with Microsoft, as part of the agreement, the City will receive 30 percent of revenues on Microsoft’s future sales of the Domain Awareness System, which will be used to support innovative and cutting-edge crime-prevention and counter-terrorism programs.

“Part of the reason we have been able to continue driving down crime to record lows while devoting considerable resources counter-terrorism is our heavy investment in technology and our willingness to develop new, cutting-edge solutions to keep New Yorkers safe,” Mayor Bloomberg said during a press conference announcing the system yesterday.

The new system pulls information from cameras, license plate readers, environmental sensors and law enforcement databases to provide real-time alerts and the means to quickly call up relevant information to guide and inform police action though a graphics interface. Its mapping features, which are tied to rich data sources, support investigations, crime analysis and effective management of police resources. The City has approximately 3,000 Closed-Circuit TV cameras connected to the Domain Awareness System. The majority of these cameras are in Lower Manhattan – south of Canal Street, from river to river – and in Midtown Manhattan – between 30th street and 60th street, from river to river. NYPD has begun to expand camera coverage to in the boroughs outside of Manhattan.

The system is another example of a growing trend within law enforcement to use analytics based technology to discern patterns out of complex populations in an effort to monitor activity and prevent issues from arising. The Orange County police department is also using a different Microsoft solution for risk management. CivSource has reported on similar moves by the Memphis Police and Las Vegas Police using an IBM solution.

“The system is a transformative tool because it was created by police officers for police officers,” said Police Commissioner Kelly. “Its development is a testament to the talent and experience of our officers.”