NCJ Number
130434
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 60,61
Editor(s)
D Rogers
Date Published
1991
Length
2 pages
Annotation
In 1989 Baltimore passed an ordinance that designated certain sections of the city "drug-free zones" to aid police officers in expediting the arrest of drug felons; this operation has been facilitated by an automated data base management system.
Abstract
Information on all 200 officers within the district is now managed by the administrative staff with a system of data entry, data base management, and reporting from an IBM desktop personal computer. Prior to this system, the district relied on a complex system of card files, all updated separately. Each morning the district's crime statistics from the previous 24 hours are entered into the "Crime" data base, along with a description of the crime, time of occurrence, the post, and the supervising lieutenant. Reports can be generated on demand in minutes. There is also an "Arrest" data base and an "Administrative" data base that are cross-linked by officers' sequence or ID numbers. Weekly, monthly, and year-to-date reports are now quickly generated and used as management tools. Shift rotations are scrutinized regarding their efficiency and effectiveness. Supervising lieutenants can examine their deployment of forces as often as needed. A "Platoon" data base lists the lieutenant, sergeant, and assignments and includes patrol, vice, drugs, and special operations personnel.