ELGIN (IL) - POLICE DEPARTMENT - STUDY OF THE POLICE RECORDS AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - POLICE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT

• NCJ Number: 37619
• Author(s): C D HALE
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 33 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-002-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Public Admin Service
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REPORT ON A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE STUDY TO EVALUATE THE RECORDS AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES OF THE ELGIN (IL) POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE THEIR SUITABILITY FOR MEETING PRESENT AND PROJECTED NEEDS.

Abstract

AN ON-SITE ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENT COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORD SYSTEM WAS CONDUCTED FOR A THREE DAY PERIOD IN SEPTEMBER 1976, DURING WHICH TIME OPERATING PROCEDURES, REPORT FORMS AND PROCESSES, AND INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT WERE EXAMINED. ALTHOUGH IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RECORDS AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS OF ELGIN'S POLICE DEPARTMENT EXHIBITED MANY COMMENDABLE FEATURES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED. THESE INCLUDED PHYSICAL SEPARATION OF RECORDS, INCOMPLETE AND INACCURATE FIELD REPORTING, LIMITED HOURS OF RECORDS DEPARTMENT OPERATION, LACK OF STORAGE SPACE, FAILURE TO UTILIZE ALL COMPUTER CAPABILITIES, DUPLICATION OF RECORDS WITHIN THE MAJOR INVESTIGATION DIVISION, AND THE LACK OF A STOLEN PROPERTY FILE. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE OVERALL EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS WITH LITTLE OR NO EXPENSE TO THE CITY ARE MADE IN THE AREAS OF FACILITY CONSIDERATIONS, FIELD REPORTING, RECORDS OPERATION AND STORAGE, AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING, AUXILIARY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS, AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.