NCJ Number
36431
Date Published
1976
Length
25 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE STUDY TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS USE BY THE POLICE OF OVERLAND PARK (KS), ONE OF 13 AGENCIES LOCATED IN JOHNSON COUNTY (KS) AND ADJACENT TO KANSAS CITY (MO).
Abstract
OVERLAND PARK IS A CITY OF 82,000 INHABITANTS IN A 48 SQUARE MILE AREA. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WAS REQUESTED DUE TO INCREASED CRIME AND POPULATION IN THE CITY; POOR SIGNAL AREAS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH SECTIONS CAUSING FAILURE OF MOBILE AND PORTABLE PATROL OFFICER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE DISPATCHING OFFICE; AND THE NEED FOR GREATER COMPUTER STORAGE AND FASTER RETRIEVAL PROCESSES. ON-SITE EVALUATION WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN JULY 12, 1976 AND JULY 15, 1976. IT INCLUDED ASSESSING PRESENT COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL CENTER ACTIVITIES; EXAMINING SYSTEM OVERLOADS, INTERFERENCE, AND FAILURES; REVIEWING OPERATING TECHNIQUES; ASSESSING ADEQUACY OF PRESENT FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT; EXAMINING EXPANSION POTENTIAL WITH PRESENT EQUIPMENT; AND DEVELOPING A FREQUENCY PLAN. FINDINGS INDICATE THAT UPDATED EQUIPMENT, PROCEDURES, AND INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ARE NEEDED AND THAT A COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCHING SYSTEM COULD EVENTUALLY CONNECT WITH THE ALERT (ALLIED LAW ENFORCEMENT RADIO TIE) SYSTEM IN KANSAS CITY TO RETRIEVE FEDERAL AND STATE FILE INFORMATION.