THE SYSTEM STUDIES CONSISTED OF A COORDINATED DISPATCHING AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM DESIGN, REGIONAL RESPONSES TO UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES, AND A REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM. THE PROJECT DESIGN STUDY WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY A CONSULTANT. THE SYSTEM STUDIES RESULTED IN DESIGN OF A REGIONAL COORDINATED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, INCLUDING A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING A 9-1-1 EMERGENCY CALL HANDLING SYSTEM, IN SUPPORT OF POLICE, FIRE AND AMBULANCE DISPATCHING. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS IN RESPONSES TO UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES, AND PROVIDED A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF AN AUTOMATED REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SIX MONTH DELAY IN UPGRADING THE REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, NINE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RECEIVED NEW RADIO EQUIPMENT, AND THE REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY HOT LINE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROVIDES VOICE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SAFETY AGENCIES DESIRING TO USE THE SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)