EAST PROVIDENCE (RI) - PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF A COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH AND FORMATION SYSTEM - POLICE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT

• NCJ Number: 43414
• Author(s): R W SUTPHEN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 27 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-003-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Westinghouse National Issues Ctr
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR A COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH AND INFORMATION SERVICE WITH ESTIMATED COSTS AND A TIMETABLE OF IMPLEMENTATION WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I., POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 1977.

Abstract

DURING 1976, THIS DEPARTMENT OF 101 PERSONNEL (86 SWORN) SERVING A POPULATION OF 15,000 RECEIVED 16,607 CALLS FOR SERVICE, 12,801 OF WHICH REQUIRED REPORTS. AT THE PRESENT TIME, RECORDKEEPING IS MANUAL, CONSUMING A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND NOT GENERATING SUFFICIENT DATA. THE COMPUTER-AIDED SYSTEM WOULD PROVIDE A MORE DETAILED LISTING OF COMPLAINT ENTRY, ACTIVITY REPORTS, CALLS FOR SERVICE WITH DAY AND HOUR, LOCATIONS OF CALLS, CRIMINAL ARRESTS, AND PERSONNEL DATA. A SINGLE INCIDENT DATA ENTRY RECORD WOULD REPLACE MULTIPLE FORMS. THIS REPORT ANALYZES DEPARTMENTAL NEEDS, PROPOSES BASIC SOFTWARE, SPECIFIES FORMS NEEDED, AND LISTS BENEFITS WHICH CAN BE EXPECTED. SINCE THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN COST ESTIMATE EXCEEDS THE $150,000 BUDGET LIMIT BY $18,640, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PURCHASE SPECIFICATIONS REQUIRE EACH APPLICATIONS PROGRAM BE LISTED SEPARATELY BY COST SO THE DEPARTMENT CAN SELECT THE PROGRAMS IT WISHES NOW AND ADD MORE LATER.