How Transparency Improves the Control of Law Enforcement Authorities´ Activities?

When preventing and investigating crime the law enforcement authorities (LEAs) perform a variety of activities that affect civilians´ privacy. Video surveillance, audio surveillance, technical monitoring and tracking are few to mention amongst many other activities. On various incidents, law enforcement is seeking more control rights that increases concern amongst citizens and also level of open debate increases steeply. The aim of this paper is to provide an improved understanding why transparency is a crucial factor succeeding in LEAs´ technical surveillance. This research work also presents examples of current technological possibilities to create transparent and plausible monitoring for surveillance activities. The paper is based on the results and lessons learned from the Finnish SATERISK (SATEllite-based tracking RISKs) research project executed during 2008-2011. Trusts in LEAs have always been high in Finland. Even though number of people in society who do not have any confidence in authorities, especially for police forces and their extended control. However, there are empirical and factual evidences that civilians are willing to give extended rights to authorities if used in intrusive means for extremely necessary situation. In such cases, people are more open and expecting authentic timely information. The research work also discusses the challenges faced by LEAs during criminal investigations.