NCJ Number
13711
Journal
Police Research Bulletin Issue: 23 Dated: (SPRING 1974) Pages: 5-11
Date Published
1974
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE FIRST OF TWO ARTICLES DESCRIBING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN DEVELOPING A NATIONAL REAL TIME COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR THE STORAGE AND RETIEVAL OF BASIC POLICE RECORDS.
Abstract
THIS HISTORICAL REVIEW BEGINS IN 1959 WITH THE FORMATION OF A JOINT COMPUTER UNIT WHOSE PURPOSE WAS TO INSTIGATE A FEASIBILLITY STUDY TO CONSIDER COMPUTER SHARING BETWEEN THE HOME OFFICE, THE PRISON COMMISSION, AND THE NEW SCOTLAND YARD. THIS WAS EXPANDED TO THE ENVISIONMENT OF A POLICE-ONLY COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH AS MANY AS 800 USER TERMINALS. INDEX FILES IN THE PROPOSED SYSTEM INCLUDED STOLEN VEHICLES, CHASSIS/ENGINE NUMBERS, FINGERPRINTS, WANTED/MISSING FILES, AND VEHICLE OWNERS. ALSO INCLUDED WOULD BE DISQUALIFIED DRIVERS, SUSPENDED SENTENCES, CHECKS, MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY, CYCLES AND MODUS OPERANDI INDICES. A BRITISH COMPUTER FIRM WON THE BIDDING, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BUILDING NEAR LONDON WAS PROPOSED AND AGREED UPON AS A SUITABLE CENTRAL LOCATION. DEVELOPMENTS SUBSEQUENT TO 1970 WILL BE DEALT WITH IN THE SECOND ARTICLE.