Cybercop

Cybercop generally refers to police who use the Internet; although, it is sometimes in reference to cyborgs this article talks about the policemen.

The Report to the President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection (1997) stated, "Cybercops are law enforcement personnel whose beat is cyberspace." According to Microsoft's Justice and Public Safety Division Marketing Manager Ken Reeves, over 2,000 law enforcement organizations had connected to the internet by 1996. Reeves noted: "[The Internet is] another protective device, just like the bulletproof vest."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Firearms Chief Vince stated: "[The federal computer system] is...the most powerful law enforcement tool I have ever seen."

There is much objection to cybercops, mostly from Civil libertarians.

The Patriot Act greatly expanded the abilites of cybercops to collect data from the Internet.

References

• Internet-encyclopedia entry