Specifically, the introduction of mobile digital communications (MDC) system by the Vancouver Police Department was investigated. The most important contribution of this technology is to allow patrol officers to access remote law enforcement date files without relay through dispatch personnel. Even after a very conservative research strategy that does not impute values to intangible benefits nor count the contributions of the system to criminal arrests was adopted, it was concluded that investment in the technology was a productive use of taxpayers' money in British Columbia. (Author abstract)