Dubai’s police use google glass to catch criminals

Google Glass, a wearable technology device, will soon help to fight crime in Dubai, according to Dubai’s 7 Days newspaper.

Dubai’s Smart Services Department has created software that incorporates facial recognition technology with Google Glass to help better catch criminals. The software allows Glass to utilize a database, created by the Dubai police department, of wanted criminals, according to 7 Days.

In addition to the facial recognition software, police officers will be able to record video, take pictures, access the Internet and utilize a variety of apps with the device.

Not only will the device help officers to better catch criminals, but it also has the ability to hold police officers accountable to citizens. As Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, says in a USA Today article, Google Glass’ video capabilities could help to protect police and deter abusive police practices.

The Dubai police department is currently using four pairs of Google Glass, using themthe device mainly to identify vehicles and enforce traffic violations. Colonel Khalid Nasser Al Razooqi, director general of the department, told 7 Days that the department hopes to further develop its facial recognition software before its widespread use.

The department hopes to start using the device to catch criminals by the beginning of 2015, and hopes to have one of the ‘smartest’ police departments in the world by 2018, according to 7 Days.