Q&A: To serve and protect

Sep 1, 2000 12:00 PM, Jeanne Bonner

The Security Industry Association (SIA) presented its 2000 Gold Circle Award to New York City Police Chief Joseph P. Dunne. Chief Dunne began his career with the NYPD in 1969 and was appointed police chief in July 1999. The SIA award recognizes Dunne's involvement with the association's efforts to develop protocols for use of CCTV in public areas. Access Control & Security Systems Integration interviewed Dunne about challenges he has faced in his long and distinguished career.

Q. What changes in security and safety issues have you seen in your 30 years on the force?

A. Technological developments are the greatest change we face. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are now being tested in New York City for the livery cabs, which will be equipped with silent alarms monitored by a central station. If a cab driver trips the alarm, the central station will contact 911. The GPS can pinpoint the exact location of the person being assaulted. But how much of our resources can be deployed to respond to a livery cab? If you multiply it by 100,000, you find that it challenges the resources of the police. If an attack occurs in a moving vehicle, the GPS will continue to track it but should the central station stay on the line with 911? Some day private individuals will carry GPS systems and they will be able to alert the police that an attack is occurring, but will we be able to respond? GPS and other technological advancements offer a great promise, but can the police deliver on that promise?

Q. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

A. The hardest part of being a police officer in New York City is responding actively and aggressively to crime without alienating the community. We must be evenhanded. We need to show the community what we are trying to accomplish. In some of the most crime-ridden areas, we receive the majority of our information from members of the community. We need their help. It is not easy. When we have protests in the city, there are always some protesters who are hell-bent on antagonizing and confronting the police. It makes it hard to do the job.

Q. What new security challenges do you face?

A. Internet crime is a significant new challenge. We have to get out there in front of the hackers and the internet pornographers. It is affecting the quality of life. The police have to be on board to combat these new ways to commit crime. We must make it part of our training. Terrorism is another security issue that we face increasingly. The world is getting smaller. We actually prevented a subway bombing planned for NYC. One of the people involved got cold feet and came to the police. We got lucky.

Q. You are a proponent of using CCTV in public housing. What impact has CCTV made in these units?

A. There are 300 public housing developments in New York City, housing 600,000 people. So far, we have installed CCTV at seven housing units and there are about 1,000 cameras used in all. One of the buildings is covered by 250 cameras. We selected areas that are the most difficult to police. In every unit where we have installed CCTV, crime is down 50 percent. Crime in general has decreased in NYC, but that is a significant drop. The residents of the housing units want to feel safe and be comfortable. They are thrilled with the cameras. They want to be able to enjoy the courtyards in the units and not worry if they return home late at night. The surveillance cameras give the housing units residents, many of whom are poor or depend on public assistance, security systems that the wealthy have enjoyed for years.

Q. What qualities and/or qualifications should a successful police officer have?

A. We are not looking for adventurous types. If you want adventure, join the Navy. We are looking for service-oriented people. We are looking for people who want to help others. We want people who are educated. Police work is about public service, and often people forget that. We are looking for individuals who want to serve the community.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

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