NCJ Number
70981
Journal
POLIZEI TECHNIK VERKEHR Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1978) Pages: 280-284
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Possibilities for improving West German police deployment systems using computerized command posts are explored on the basis of existing experimental systems.
Abstract
The first generation of the command post computers in Bielefeld and Bonn concentrated on radio and long-distance communication. In 1974 the system was used mainly for vehicle identification and in 1975 relevant events registration was included in the system. The system also made certain types of overviews and information readily available. However, system limitations affected program flexibility, hardware and software expansion possibilities, and potential for interfacing with other computer systems or for integrating new features such as automatic displays. Two consulting firms provided recommendations for solving these problems in 1975 and 1976. From the overview of total systems problems, the concept of a computer-aided command, processing, and information center with general automatization as well as centralized and decentralized computer capacity emerged. According to the proposed model, data processing takes place at file locations and data is then transferred. The command computer is no longer a separate unit. Experimentation with the model in North Rhine Westphalia has tested the feasibility of the model. Possibilities for expanding the system to other regions are limited by cost considerations. Furthermore, such features as automatic location determination systems and special development of hardware and software systems are not financially practicable. User needs for second generation computers focus on information for local use with storage capacity and rapid retrieval capacity for data on persons, objects, subjects, orders, and planning and execution of police operations. Goals are facilitation of thorough information research for decision making and optimization of resource utilization. The system must be planned to avoid operational deficiencies, to make possible fully automatic operation, and to deal with routine local work. Coordination of all efforts to develop computer-aided command centers and use of a universally adaptable system of hardware and software are desirable. A modular approach to implementation of the system appears to be most pratical. Diagrams are supplied. -in German.