NCJ Number
68274
Date Published
1976
Length
48 pages
Annotation
THIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT ON THE CHARLESTON, W.VA., POLICE RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM ANALYZES EACH SEGMENT OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM AND MAKES SUGGESTIONS TO REVISE IT FOR INCREASED EFFICIENCY.
Abstract
THE ANALYSIS IS BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL, OBSERVATIONS OF RECORDKEEPING PROCEDURES, REVIEWS OF WORK DOCUMENTS AND CURRENT RECORDS, AND EXAMINATIONS OF STATISTICAL REPORTS. THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS A BASIC FILING SYSTEM FOR OFFENSES AND RELATED INCIDENTS, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO 84 SEPARATE CATEGORIES AND CROSS-REFERENCED TO A MASTER NAME FILE. THE SYSTEM IS FRAGMENTED AMONG SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT ENTITIES. AN ANALYSIS OF EACH SEGMENT OF THE SYSTEM IS FOLLOWED BY COMMENTS ON ITS EFFICIENCY AND POSSIBLE CHANGES NEEDED. CERTAIN BASIC PREMISES OF A GOOD POLICE RECORDS SYSTEM ARE LISTED, INCLUDING COMBINED FILES WITH COMPLETE BUT LIMITED CROSS-REFERENCES, EASY ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM BY PERSONS CLEARED TO USE IT, MAINTENANCE OF ORIGINAL RECORDS, AND USE OF ONLY TWO NUMBERING SYSTEMS (FOR CRIMES AND ARRESTS). OTHER COMMENTS EMBODY SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGE. THESE ARE COMBINED TO FORM A PROPOSED NEW RECORDS SYSTEM WHICH HAS ONLY 17 PARTS, INCLUDING AN INCIDENT LEDGER, A RADIO CALL CARD, A DAILY REPORT, AND AN OFFENSE REPORT. THE PROPOSED RECORDS SYSTEM AND EXAMPLES OF ITS REPORT FORMS ARE APPENDED. (TAG)