Some of the law-enforcement technologies Barker has seen become mainstream in his career are the use of computers in all facets of police work, ballistic vests, video cameras in patrol cars, DNA analysis, and less-lethal police weaponry. He views DNA collection and analysis as the single most important technological enhancement for law enforcement. He advises that each law enforcement agency should make its choices of technology cost-effective through a needs assessment prior to any purchases. Low-budget rural departments can help fund their technology purchases through grants and increase their access to technology through mutual aid agreements with nearby departments. Barker notes that there is a risk of an agency becoming too dependent on technology, such that when malfunctions occur a department is paralyzed. There must be manual backups for every computerized system. Also, technology is useless unless in the hands of trained personnel who use their discretion and analytical skills wisely. Barker does not believe that technological advances in law enforcement will reach a peak, although there may be plateaus prior to a burst of additional advancements. Some of the technologies Barker envisions for the future are more training simulators, the field identification of drugs, unmanned aerial vehicles, and new license plate readers capable of reading thousands of plates daily from one patrol car. Some advances Barker would like to see are safer police uniforms and vehicles designed specifically for police work.