NCJ Number
70567
Journal
Police Research Bulletin Issue: 34 Dated: (Spring 1980) Pages: 32-37
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The configuration and applications of the computerized command and control system used by the West Midlands Police in Great Britain are described in this article.
Abstract
Installed as part of a new communications network in 1974, the system is able to record details of incidents at source, to distribute particulars of incidents to the appropriate subdivisions (operational units) for action, and to provide accurate, up-to-date information on the location and availability of all resources. Each subdivision has a computer terminal visual display unit (VDU) which is connected to the computer at the central dispatch unit. When a call for police service is received, the details of the incident are entered, via a VDU, into a fixed-format pro forma (incident log) together with any action taken. The incident log is then sent to other users of the system who need to act upon it. Personnel at the receiving terminals are informed of the arrival of incidents by audible and visual warnings. The system contains information on every street so that a dispatcher does not have to look at a map in order to route logs to the proper subdivisions. The force's teleprinter network is also integrated with the system, and the computer acts as a message-switching center with an automatic store-and-forward capability for formatted messages. Furthermore, the system is linked to the Police National Computer via a computer-computer interface. The system is designed to give a mean response time of 2 seconds for the priority transactions at projected 1983 workload levels (an average of 2,800 daily incidents with peaks of 3,600), and to have a mean time between total system failure of about 3 years. Photos and configuration diagrams are included.