NCJ Number
105561
Journal
Policing Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1987) Pages: 61-67
Date Published
1987
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The development of the sophisticated and enlightened use of computerized police operations requires that a senior management officer with a professional knowledge of computer systems be responsible for computerized communications and information processing.
Abstract
Although there are some cases of laudable computerization projects in British police agencies, existing police management arrangements are not capable of guiding the development of a new generation of police computerization requirements. Currently the management of all police forces is in the hands of regular police officers who do not have computer-related managerial skills. Many forces employ civilian computer professionals to work on computerization projects and maintain computer installations, but they operate in a technical/supportive role rather than in a managerial capacity. This means that persons with a knowledge of computer capabilities and the motivation to implement them in police operations lack influence at the senior personnel with specific responsibility for key functions and activities in the organization, so the police should have a chief information officer to represent the interests of computing, communications, and information processing.