It reviews the historical development of modern policing, noting that new police technology has influenced the style of policing. It has encouraged a reactive police role by improving the police response mechanism through improved communications and mobility. The potential for proactive policing, contained in police MIS, is also discussed in terms of the development of strategic planning based on information generated by MIS. The volume examines the special social, economic, and political pressures on North American police forces during the post World War II period, particularly those elements that have contributed to the Canadian police forces' stability and conservatism. Such natural pressures mitigated against the application of new police technology. New pressures affecting modern police (new managerial styles, the youthful profile of police) are discussed which argue in favor of the acquisition of new technology. Recommendations are offered for police forces wanting to acquire new technology, with emphasis on technology evaluations, strategic planning, senior management involvement, cooperation with other agencies, and a new recruitment/training/promotion policy. A glossary of technical terms, about 200 references, a list of field visits made, and a discussion of sources of information for the study are appended. For a summary of the study, see NCJ 82691. For the other volumes to the study, see NCJ 82693-96. (Author summary modified)