October 10, 2007

GPS May Keep Track of Chicago's Police

CHICAGO – Every Chicago Police officer’s movements could be electronically tracked by global positioning systems (GPS) if a program being tested in the Chicago Lawn District wins approval, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The program, which requires officers to wear GPS cell phones while on duty, is intended as an officer-safety measure, but also could be used to discipline officers.

A group of 50 patrol, gang, and tactical officers based in Chicago Lawn will test the technology, which allows supervisors to plot their locations on a computer screen in real-time.

The phones can be used only to call a list of approved numbers. Although many officers carry private phones — and since 2005 all cell phones can be used to track their owners — the program is the first organized attempt to keep precise, constant tabs on officers’ whereabouts.