NCJ Number
47335
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY/MARCH 1978) Pages: 67-95
Date Published
1978
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF AUTOMATED POLICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY IS EXAMINED, WITH A VIEW TOWARD POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
Abstract
THE IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE POLICE COMPUTER SYSTEM, TO BE PURSUED JOINTLY WITH THE 11 AUTONOMOUS STATES OF THE REPUBLIC, IS ONE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUNDESKRIMINALAMPT, THE CENTRAL AGENCY FOR CRIME CONTROL. THE INPOL NETWORK, COMPOSED OF 800 TERMINALS CONNECTED TO A CENTRAL COMPUTER, WAS COMPLETED IN JULY 1977. A DETAILED DESCRIPTION IS PRESENTED OF THE INPOL ORGANIZATION, SEARCH SYSTEM, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, ADVANTAGES AND PROBLEMS, OPERATIONS, AND PLANS. OTHER POLICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, UNIQUE TO INDIVIDUAL STATES, ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL STATE SYSTEMS ARE COORDINATED WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE FEDERAL SYSTEM IS NOTED. WAYS IN WHICH POLICE OFFICERS USE THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN EVERYDAY SITUATIONS ARE DISCUSSED. ONE FEATURE OF THE GERMAN SYSTEM SAID TO HAVE POTENTIAL FOR APPLICATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN IS THE PLANNED OFFENDER/OFFENSE INDEX, WHICH PROVIDES LINKAGES BETWEEN INFORMATION ON CRIMINALS (E.G., THE DETAILS OF AN OFFENDER'S MODUS OPERANDI) AND INFORMATION ON CRIMES. OTHER POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS INCLUDE USE OF COMPUTER FACILITIES IN DETERMINING RESPONSE BY POLICE TO MAJOR CRISES.