NCJ Number
196287
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 52,54-55,56
Date Published
July 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.
Abstract
The CAD system ties directly into how quickly officers can be notified and the information those notifications contain. Tiburon, located in California, offers platforms that support dispatching and incident control for law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical services in single and multiple jurisdiction environments. CAD/Ti integrates the records management system (RMS) and CAD. Each dispatch position is a real-time backup for the others and automatically synchronizes, allowing continued functionality in the event of server or network failure. CAD/Ti’s graphical user interface adheres to Microsoft Windows standards, making the system easy to learn. It is designed to allow the user to operate the system using a command line, mouse and/or function keys. There is also a feature that permits all dispatch workstations to see the progress of all calls on the others’ stations while they are being entered and before they are completed. There are three reasons to install an integrated CAD and mobile solution. First is officer safety; officers can look up prior calls or history of abuse en route to the call. Second, it enhances service to citizens by dispatching quickly and better informing officers. Third, it enables proper management of a dispatch operation, including manpower, tracking activity, or reporting calls. New World System’s public safety software for CAD, mapping, and mobile is written for a multi-jurisdictional environment. Open Software Solutions Inc. (OSSI) has software modules that are designed to seamlessly integrate as well as interface. The AVL portion contributes to officer safety and quicker response times in the field. The dispatch portion of the OSSI software is compliant with regulations mandating that cellular carriers be able to provide precise GPS location information for wireless callers. The timesaving that CAD provides is found in tabulating crime data for Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the IBRS (Incident Based Report System) and enables officers to use hours saved to solve cases.