The daily headlines increasingly deliver bad news about the impact the faltering economy is having on states, counties, and municipalities across the United States. Articles and broadcasts address reductions in police services; the widespread release of prisoners to control incarceration costs; and the work of judicial support workers (such as probation and parole officers) being impacted by furloughs and mileage restrictions. Indeed, a driving issue to today’s law enforcement executive is adjusting to decreasing budgets at every level.

Chiefs, sheriffs, fusion center directors, and prison wardens are exploring every option to control their respective agency funds while continuing their vital work using the tools and resources available to them that are cost-efficient, reliable, acceptable to their staffs, and applicable to their specific disciplines. Often, they seek new or emerging technologies to aid in their efforts to combat crime and terrorism. N-DEx is a force multiplier because it offers investigative help to law enforcement.