On December 6, 2022, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in partnership with CNA and the Arizona State University's Center for Problem-Oriented Policing (POP), hosted the release webinar of the latest POP Guide titled Gunshot Detection: Reducing Gunfire through Acoustic Technology. This guide highlights acoustic gunshot detection systems, which are sensors designed to recognize the acoustic pattern of gunfire. Gunfire alerts by such systems enable police to respond quickly to the right location of gunfire. Although the technology was developed some time ago, the last decade has seen a growing number of police department implementing the technology.
This webinar:
- Included presentations from Dr. Dennis Mares, author of the POP guide, and Captain Amy Gauldin, Winston-Salem, NC, Police Department; Explained how gunshot detection systems work, and how it generates data that can be used for tailoring the response to gunfire;
- Provided insights to agencies interested in implementing their own systems and initiatives;
- Discussed implementation and best practices in responding and investigation gunshot alerts; and
- Explored how agencies should evaluate the outcomes of their efforts to determine whether the systems fit their needs.
Slides and recording of this event are provided below.
