NSA - Experts & Thought Leaders

Latest National Sheriffs' Association news & announcements

U.S. Sheriffs increasing use of drones, body cameras and facial recognition

With approximately 3,000 sheriffs covering 70% of the United States, managing resources efficiently is paramount. The integration of security cameras, drones, and body cameras with powerful facial recognition systems enables law enforcement to scan large areas in real-time or retrospectively, identifying suspect appearances and gathering valuable information.  Some of these technologies will be showcased at the National Sheriffs' Association Conference in Oklahoma this week. Drones enhancing search and rescue operations Drones have become essential tools for sheriff departments, particularly in search and rescue operations. In Sumter County, Florida, the sheriff's office has utilised high-tech drones to quickly locate missing individuals, saving numerous lives. These drones provide real-time aerial surveillance, which is crucial in vast and challenging terrains where traditional search methods may be less effective. Body cameras identifying suspects in real-time Body cameras are now widely adopted to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement. These devices record interactions between officers and the public, providing evidence in cases of allegations of misconduct. Moreover, body cameras help in documenting crime scenes and capturing real-time events, essential for accurate forensic analysis and legal proceedings. Facial recognition for quick identification Facial recognition is rapidly being merged into law enforcement plans to expedite the process Facial recognition technology is rapidly being integrated into law enforcement systems to expedite the identification process. This technology is particularly useful for spotting wanted individuals and verifying the identities of inmates transported to court. Sheriff's departments use facial recognition to cross-reference faces with databases of known offenders, ensuring that suspects are correctly identified and apprehended swiftly. Corsight AI's advanced facial intelligence platform Corsight AI provides an advanced facial intelligence platform to law enforcement agencies worldwide. According to Shay Poleg, Corsight AI U.S. Sales Director: "Our platform allows for real-time scanning and post-event analysis, recognising wanted individuals and identifying suspicious scenarios. We provide sheriffs with the tools they need to enhance public safety and streamline operations. To be able to do this, you'll need software able to reliably recognise a face in real-world conditions of low visibility, poor video quality, limited camera angles, distance, motion, facial coverage, and outdoor darkness." Speeding forensic investigations In forensic investigations, advanced technologies play a pivotal role. When evidence is collected from crime scenes, drones and body cameras help document the scene meticulously. Video analytics and facial recognition further aid in the fast analysis of long hours of video footage to identify suspects or witnesses, significantly speeding up the investigative process. Sheriff departments across the U.S. are committed to leveraging these technologies to enhance their capabilities, improve public safety, and maintain the highest standards of accountability in their operations. As these tools continue to evolve, their integration into everyday law enforcement activities is expected to become even more widespread and sophisticated.

ASIS International, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police announced the Annual International Public Law Enforcement/Private Security Partnership Day

ASIS International, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, announce the formation of the Annual International Public Law Enforcement/Private Security Partnership Day. Security Partnership Day The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and ASIS International (ASIS) are very pleased to announce the initiation of the Public Law Enforcement/Private Security Partnership Day.  Public-Private Partnership Day is a long-term collaborative effort between all three founding organisations and was approved by the boards of directors from all three partner organisations. It will occur on the fourth Thursday of April every year, with the inaugural Public-Private Partnership Day occurring on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Improvements in public safety Programme has led to famed advances in public safety and has become a ideal for equal programmes The mission of Public-Private Partnership Day is to foster and support the development of strong, robust, and enduring partnerships between the public safety community and the private security professions.  A shining example of such a partnership is the New York City Police Department (NYPD) SHIELD programme, a public-private partnership liaison programme between the NYPD and New York City’s private and public sectors that have been instrumental in the fight against terrorism and criminal activity. The programme has led to significant improvements in public safety and has become a model for similar programmes globally. New and enhanced partnerships Through these partnerships, pioneers in the private security profession can collaborate with the pioneers of the law enforcement and public safety community, and vice-versa. The result of this collaboration and knowledge-sharing has significantly improved the level of safety, security and protection of people, property, and information. Building and maintaining strong public-private partnership programmes is essential in fighting the ever-increasing onslaught of all global criminal activity, from theft, to terrorism, to massive and crippling cyber-attacks. Pioneers from the IACP, the NSA, and ASIS are committed to making Public-Private Partnership Day a meaningful day of recognition to showcase effective partnerships worldwide. The upcoming inaugural Partnership Day will forge a strong foundation and serve as an incentive for new and enhanced partnerships.

Iris ID to showcase contactless iris-based biometric systems at the National Sheriffs’ Association's NSA 2021 Annual Conference and Exhibition

Iris ID, the globally renowned company in iris recognition technology for over 20 years, will showcase its top products for law enforcement agencies at the National Sheriffs’ Association's (NSA) annual conference and exhibition – NSA 2021 Annual Conference and Exhibition, slated to take place from June 22-24, 2021, at the Phoenix Convention Center. Iris ID will occupy booth #114 at the exhibition. NSA 2021 Annual Conference and Exhibition The annual conference is an opportunity for the members of the nation's more than 3,000 sheriff's departments to learn and share information related to all parts of their mission, including law enforcement, jail operations, prisoner transport and courthouse security. Tim Meyerhoff, Director, North America, Iris ID, said biometric technology plays an increasingly important role in helping sheriff's deputies complete their jobs daily. Tim said, “Rapid and accurate identification of people is a major law enforcement need.” Contactless iris-based biometric systems Tim adds, “There is no room for error when it comes to booking and release of those charged with crimes. And our contactless iris-based biometric systems, the most accurate on the market, are ideal as departments continue battling the COVID-19 virus.” Among its many products, Iris ID will highlight three widely used by law enforcement organisations. iCAM M300 and iCAM R100 access control readers iCAM M300 is a lightweight, handheld device used by law enforcement to enroll and identify people in the field The iCAM M300 is a lightweight, handheld device used by law enforcement to enroll and identify people in the field. The iCAM M300 offers access to the three primary modes of biometric identification – iris, facial and fingerprint – with communication protocols including NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 4G LTE and more. The iCAM 300 also provides magstripe and contactless card support and offers an MRZ reader to verify ePassports. Iris ID iCAM R100 readers replace the need for PINs, access control cards and RFID fobs to enter integrated smart lockers and key management cabinets protecting keys, weapons, evidence and other valuable assets stored by sheriff's departments. Iris ID biometric technology used by US government agencies Law enforcement agencies across the U.S., including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the York County (Penn.) Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Border Patrol use Iris ID biometric technology. Iris ID iCAM 7S series product is currently included in the Los Angeles sheriff booking stations.  It is used to add iris-based identity authentication capabilities, resulting in more accurate release of individuals as a person’s iris is much less susceptible to damage than their fingerprints.

Quick poll
What is the most significant challenge facing smart building security today?