NCJ Number
16620
Date Published
1973
Length
70 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND USE OF THE CASE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM (CIRS), SHOWING IMPROVED PERFORMANCE IN THE RECORDS DIVISION AND INCREASED DATA OUTPUT, IN SPITE OF INCONSISTENT USE OF AUTOMATED DATA.
Abstract
THE SYSTEM HISTORY IS FIRST OUTLINED. GOALS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO IMPROVE THE RECORD SYSTEM OF THE NEW HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO REGIONALIZE THE SYSTEM TO INCLUDE SURROUNDING AREAS. IT WAS FOUND THAT CURRENTLY THE NEW HAVEN RECORDS DIVISION RECEIVES INCIDENT REPORTS, ACCIDENT REPORTS, CENTRAL COMPLAINT BUREAU CARDS, WARRANTS AND UNIFORM TRAFFIC TICKETS. QUALITY OF INCIDENT REPORTS WAS SAID TO HAVE IMPROVED SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PARTIALLY FORMATED CIRS FORM. THE CENTRALIZATION OF RECORDS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A QUALITY CONTROL MECHANISM, PRODUCTION INCREASES OF 200 PERCENT, AND AN INCREASE IN CROSS-REFERENCING ABILITY ARE ALL REPORTED AS BENEFITS OF THE SYSTEM. COSTS OF THE SYSTEM WERE REPORTED TO BE LARGE, ALTHOUGH SAVINGS WERE NOTED WHEN COMPARED TO COSTS OF A MANUAL SYSTEM. CIRS WAS FOUND TO BE WELL DEVELOPED IN THE AREA OF TRAFFIC REPORTING. HOWEVER, POLICE PATROL INQUIRY AND PATROL ALLOCATION FUNCTIONS OF THE SYSTEM WERE REPORTED TO BE SERIOUSLY UNDERUTILIZED. INCLUDED IN THE APPENDED MATERIALS ARE A SYSTEM DESCRIPTION OF HARDWARE CONFIGURATIONS, SYSTEM SOFTWARE, A COST-EFFECTIVENESS MEASURE FOR CIRS, AND A COST-BENEFIT COMPUTATION FOR THE LIFE OF THE SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)