Biometrics and Policing: A Protocol for Multichannel Sensor Data Collection and Exploratory Analysis of Contextualized Psychophysiological Response During Law Enforcement Operations.
BACKGROUND
Stress experienced by law enforcement officers is often extreme and is in many ways unique among professions. Although past research on officer stress is informative, it is limited, and most studies measure stress using self-report questionnaires or observational studies that have limited generalizability. We know of no research studies that have attempted to track direct physiological stress responses in high fidelity, especially within an operational police setting. The outcome of this project will have an impact on both practitioners and policing researchers. To do so, we will establish a capacity to obtain complex, multisensor data; process complex datasets; and establish the methods needed to conduct idiopathic clinical trials on behavioral interventions in similar contexts.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this pilot study is to demonstrate the practicality and utility of wrist-worn biometric sensor-based research in a law enforcement agency.


METHODS
We will use nonprobability convenience-based sampling to recruit 2-3 participants from the police department in Durham, North Carolina, USA.


RESULTS
Data collection was conducted in 2016. We will analyze data in early 2017 and disseminate our results via peer reviewed publications in late 2017.


CONCLUSIONS
We developed the Biometrics & Policing Demonstration project to provide a proof of concept on collecting biometric data in a law enforcement setting. This effort will enable us to (1) address the regulatory approvals needed to collect data, including human participant considerations, (2) demonstrate the ability to use biometric tracking technology in a policing setting, (3) link biometric data to law enforcement data, and (4) explore project results for law enforcement policy and training.
Digital Health & Clinical Informatics, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
Robert D
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3803-1879
RD
Furberg
Policing Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
Travis
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2040-1330
T
Taniguchi
Policing Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
Brian
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9290-6165
B
Aagaard
Digital Health & Clinical Informatics, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
Alexa M
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8121-1250
AM
Ortiz
Engineered Materials, Devices and Systems, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
Meghan
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0919-6906
M
Hegarty-Craver
Engineered Materials, Devices and Systems, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
Kristin H
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3584-9832
KH
Gilchrist
Behavioral & Urban Health Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
Ty A
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9709-6808
TA
Ridenour
clinical trial; digital health; law enforcement; psychophysiology; sensor, wearable