New Framework for Law Enforcement to Make Ethical Decisions
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Law Enforcement:
Europol released a new framework designed to help law enforcement make ethical decisions regarding the incorporation of new technologies into their work.
The framework is part of the report Assessing Technologies in Law Enforcement: A Method for Ethical Decision-Making, which provides a structured approach for evaluating new technology while ensuring the preservation of public trust and the protection of fundamental rights.
The goal of the framework is to ensure that the adoption and use of new technologies align with core values such as transparency, fairness, privacy, and accountability. By implementing this structured ethical framework, Europol aims to enhance public confidence in law enforcement’s use of technology, ensuring that innovation in policing aligns with societal values and legal safeguards.
The framework outlines steps to support law enforcement in making ethically sound decisions when using innovative technology. It encourages law enforcement agencies to ask the following four questions to assess the ethical appropriateness of technology:
- Consistency: Is the use of the technology always appropriate under similar conditions?
- Dignity: Does the technology usage demonstrate that law enforcement agencies are acting in the best interest of the people, rather than using their authority solely for other objectives?
- Public Acceptance: Would the use of this technology be acceptable to the public if it were made generally known?
- Accountability: Are the necessary competencies and resources in place to take responsibility for the use of the technology?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” Europol recommends rejecting or modifying the use of the technology in that specific case. If the answers are affirmative, Europol suggests law enforcement agencies evaluate the potential short-term and long-term consequences of using the technology. This step helps weigh the potential impacts on all parties involved and assess any biases that might arise.
Source:
Gates, M. (February 21, 2025). Europol Publishes Framework on Ethical Use of New Technology in Law Enforcement. Security Management Magazine.
The Trump Administration Designates Several Cartels as Terrorist Organizations
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Terrorist Organizations:
The Trump administration designated eight Latin American cartels as terrorist organizations on Thursday, a designation typically reserved for groups with political goals achieved through violence.
The U.S. Department of State filed the notice of the designation in The Federal Register on February 20. The action targets the following cartels:
- Cartel del Golfo (CDG), also known as the Gulf Cartel and the Osiel Cárdenas-Guillén Organization
- Cartel del Noreste (CDN), also known as the Northeast Cartel and Los Zetas
- Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), also known as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
- Cartel de Sinaloa, also known as the Sinaloa Cartel, the Mexican Federation, and the Guadalajara Cartel
- Carteles Unidos, also known as United Cartels, Tepalcatepec Cartel, Cartel de Tepalcatepec, the Grandfather Cartel, Cartel del Abuelo, and Cartel de Los Reyes
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM)
- Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
- Tren de Aragua (Aragua Train)
The eight cartels’ members are described as “foreign persons who have committed or attempted to commit, pose a significant risk of committing, or have participated in training to commit acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States,” according to the State Department filing.
Source:
Gates, M. (February 20, 2025). United States Designates 8 Cartels as Terrorist Organizations. Security Management Magazine.
Security Threats: Keeping Convenience Stores Safe
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Security Threats:
Store owners and operators often face security threats. A difficult balancing act between maintaining profits and implementing security measures—especially when the costs of security are presented alongside traditional profit generators like marketing or product stocking.
Convenience stores come in many forms, from the mom-and-pop bodega in New York City to the sleek Speedway on the side of a cross-country highway. Despite their differences, all of these stores serve millions of U.S. customers looking for a quick drink, snack, or pack of cigarettes.
Given the transient nature of the convenience store industry, it’s a business where you never know who will walk through your door at any given time. While the convenience of these stores appeals to patrons, it also attracts criminals. Thieves frequently target these locations in hopes of stealing cash and merchandise. Organized criminal groups tend to focus on items that can be resold on the black or gray market, such as cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets, or other popular products.
Some owners might assume that enhancing store security requires the latest (and possibly most expensive) surveillance system or locks. However, it’s essential to first assess the overall environment and understand the specific threats a store faces.
Larger companies with multiple locations, whether regionally or nationwide, often have security departments that can conduct risk assessments. Relying on these resources can help identify local crime trends and determine what factors might impact a particular store.
Source:
Mosqueda, S. (February 10, 2025). Keeping Convenience Stores Safe from Physical Threats. Security Management Magazine.
