New York Police Department And Google Glass

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Google Glass may have a new customer base. New York City Police Department intelligence and analytics unit is evaluating whether Google Glass is a good fit for investigating terrorists or helping cops capture bad guys. It is reported that the department has received several pairs to test out.

“We signed up, got a few pairs of the Google glasses, and we’re trying them out, seeing if they have any value in investigations, mostly for patrol purposes,” a ranking New York City law enforcement official told VentureBeat.

“We’re looking at them, you know, seeing how they work.”

The Google glasses can only be attained through the Google Glass Explorer program. The interested group or individual applies for the device, and receives notification from Google if the applications is denied or accepted. If accepted, the device will cost $1500 for the privilege to own a Google Glass.

Google has been in the spotlight before with the leaked NSA documents, showing Google was routinely being hacked by NSA, in order to acquire information from its users.

Working with law enforcement?

A spokesman from Google denied working with law enforcement agencies directly.

“The Google Glass Explorer program includes people from all walks of life, including doctors, firefighters and parents. Anyone can sign up to become a Glass Explorer, provided he or she is a U.S. resident and over the age of 18,” read the wooden company response to questions.

The New York Police Department is known to be building up their technology platforms, working with Microsoft to build the Domain Awareness System. The tool provides the New York Police Department  in gathering and managing surveillance data for counter terrorism.

The Potential

The Google Glass could be used with facial recognition technology, while allowing for recording and checking in law enforcement criminal databases for warrant checks, and wanted suspects. It could also reduce time writing reports, by providing digital reports.

While New York Police Department views the pros in Google Glass, civil liberty groups warn this is an encroachment on the rights of innocent citizens.

It is still early to say if the New York Police Department will provide its 34,500 crew with Google Glasses. Currently the glasses have not arrived yet for the beginning of beta testing.