Does ShotSpotter manufacture probable cause?

False. ShotSpotter is a tool for Constitutional policing. It enhances public safety by alerting police to shooting incidents, providing them with a valuable starting point for investigations.

The alerts do not authorize officers to randomly detain or search individuals; rather, they offer real-time data—such as the location and timing of detected gunfire—that can help establish reasonable suspicion, a well-defined legal standard. Police must still adhere to the Fourth Amendment, requiring specific, articulable facts to justify any investigative detention or pat-down for weapons.

Our system does not replace officer discretion or bypass constitutional safeguards; it simply equips law enforcement with timely information to respond more effectively. Each agency using this technology remains bound by its own training, policies, and by the Constitution.

Comments are closed.