NCJ Number
127590
Date Published
1988
Length
80 pages
Annotation
This report describes and evaluates the pilot computer systems installed in the Number 5 Regional Crime Squad in England between August 1987 and June 1988.
Abstract
The system includes facilities for administration at branch offices and headquarters, software for free-text retrieval for small operations, a nominal index for headquarters, and communications for file transfers between the 9 locations in the squad. The system's capital cost represented about 2 percent of the typical budget for a crime squad, and continuing training and computer support will be required to realize the system's potential. After the system is successfully implemented, about 15 hours of support from a computer systems analyst will be required. The system's main benefits are its information retrieval capabilities, personnel savings of 56 hours per week, increased administrative efficiency and accuracy, and operational efficiency resulting from the rapid transfer of information. 16 references and appended background information (Author abstract modified)