Next Generation of Police Officers Embraces Tech—and So Should Drivers

By Gary Goble, Retired Police Chief who is now a Client Success Manager at Verra Mobility

A new generation of law enforcement officers is joining the ranks—one that grew up with smartphones, social media, and Wi-Fi everywhere. As digital natives, they don’t see technology as a separate part of the job. They see it as essential to getting the job done right.

This generational shift is driving meaningful change in policing, particularly when it comes to traffic enforcement. Automated red light and speed safety cameras are no longer considered “nice to have” tools—they’re becoming a standard part of how departments operate, offering a data-driven, safety-first approach that aligns with how today’s officers are trained and how they think.

Today’s officers understand that technology can be a force multiplier. They grew up with technology, so it’s natural for them to see it as a way to be more effective and to help keep the public safe.

Technology That Builds Trust and Changes Driver Behavior

For years, there’s been debate over the use of automated enforcement—but today, the conversation is shifting. For today’s tech-forward officers, they’ve become a trusted extension of the job.

Many police officers and drivers now recognize that traffic cameras aren’t about "gotchas" or government overreach – they’re about creating safer streets. These systems provide consistency, objectivity, and accountability in a way that traditional enforcement sometimes cannot. 

Younger officers don’t just understand the technology—they trust it. They know a red light camera will monitor that intersection 24/7, allowing them to be elsewhere—watching pedestrians, responding to calls, or focusing on more serious safety concerns.

Camera-based enforcement also supports a broader shift toward transparency and fairness in how violations are addressed because they can clearly show when and how a violation occurred. That clarity helps reduce disputes and reinforces the fairness and legitimacy of citations. And the behavior change is real: once someone receives a citation, they tend to slow down—especially if they know the cameras are there.

Proven Results, Backed by Law Enforcement

Communities that use Verra Mobility’s automated enforcement programs are seeing meaningful results: up to a 95% reduction in speeding at camera locations, a 21% decrease in fatal and serious crashes, and a 50% drop in crashes involving pedestrians.

Importantly, every potential violation is reviewed by law enforcement before a citation is issued. Automated doesn’t mean unchecked. Officers still look at each incident to ensure it meets the legal and program criteria before it’s issued. And drivers always have the right to contest a citation, just as they would with an in-person traffic stop.

Technology Frees Officers to Do More

One often overlooked benefit of automated enforcement is that it allows officers to focus more on high-impact, in-person safety work—like watching for distracted drivers in school zone crosswalks, ensuring school children are protected, and responding to calls where a human presence really matters.

When a red light or speed camera is handling the routine violations, it frees officers to be out on the streets where they’re needed most. Whether it’s helping kids cross the road safely or watching for aggressive driving near busy intersections, that human element of policing becomes more visible – and more effective when technology is doing its part.

Tech-Forward Policing Is Here to Stay

Today’s police departments are using more tech across the board – from body-worn cameras to real-time crime centers and cloud-based evidence systems. Automated traffic enforcement is simply another tool in that broader transformation.

This new generation of officers wants tools that are accurate, efficient, and fair. Automated enforcement checks all those boxes. It doesn’t replace officers—it helps them be in more places at once and focus on the calls and crimes that need a human presence.

And for drivers? Technology on the road isn’t going away. It’s evolving right along with the world around it—and helping make streets safer in the process.

The world has changed. Technology is now part of policing. And that’s a good thing for public safety.