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Law Enforcement Navigate the Information Superhighway

NCJ Number
155109
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1995) Pages: 32-34,36-38,67
Author(s)
K W Strandberg
Date Published
1995
Length
7 pages
Annotation
In this article, heads of police departments share their secrets, pointers, and the trends they see in the application of computers to law enforcement.
Abstract
A large part of law enforcement's job is managing information, and the departments that manage information well will probably be successful. For years, law enforcement has depended on mainframe systems to manage information but, as that equipment breaks down and becomes outdated, it is being replaced with PC-based systems. PCs offer more flexibility and do not require the large investment that mainframes do. Many police departments use both mainframes and PCs, defining clearly the job of each. As departments across the country switch to or augment mainframes with PC systems, the goal of data access and information sharing among police departments comes closer to realization. Pen-based technology is being seriously considered for use in law enforcement, making data entry much simpler. Rather than having to keystroke everything, a pen system would be similar to filling out a report, but it would automatically be entered into a department's database. There are many police-specific software packages available on the market, and the Institute of Police Technology and Management develops its own software as well.

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