NCJ Number
112158
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 36 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1988) Pages: 34-36
Editor(s)
B Cameron
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Summerville Police Department (South Carolina) uses the Condor 3 programmable, relational data base management package to automate nearly all its functions.
Abstract
The Condor 3, produced by Condor Computer Corporation, is aimed at the noncomputer professional who wants to build custom applications but who does not have extensive training. Command files run automatically when activated through a menu selection, thereby saving keystrokes, reducing errors, and requiring minimum computer literacy. The system runs on an IBM-AT compatible computer with a 40-MB hard disk, under MS-DOS version 3. Since the system can also run on a floppy system, there is ample room for data files. The department uses the system to track daily incidents, arrest reports, employee shifts, inventory, vehicle maintenance, accident data, budgets, daily expenditures, Uniform Crime Report data, and registration files. An employee file keeps track of how officers spend their time, and a night reference directory lists names and telephone numbers of business people to be contacted in case of break-in or emergency. A detective bureau file includes menus for new case assignments, detective names, suspects, staff, and crime codes. In addition, the system's ad hoc reporting capabilities permit the department to analyze information quickly from a variety of perspectives and help in the allocation of manpower and resources. 1 photograph.