GEOGRAPHIC BASE FILES TRANSLATE ADDRESSES INTO ANOTHER SYSTEM OF LOCATION. THE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS MAY INCLUDE POLICE BEATS, FIRE ZONES, TRANSPORTATION AREAS, MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES, OR ZIP CODES. THROUGH THE USE OF A BASE FILE, INDIVIDUAL STREET ADDRESSES, INTERSECTIONS, OR COMMON PLACES CAN BE EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF 'GEOCODES' OR GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF DIVIDING GEOGRAPHIC AREAS ARE DISCUSSED. POSSIBLE USES IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD INCLUDE: COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH; RESEARCH AND STATISTICS; CRIME ANALYSIS; AUTOMATED VEHICLE MONITORING; INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT; TACTICAL DEPLOYMENT; AND TRAFFIC ANALYSIS. USE OF THE GEOGRAPHIC BASE FILE SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN REDUCED ERROR AND RESPONSE TIME, INSTANT ANALYSIS, AND INCREASED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY. FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM ARE AREAS OF COVERAGE, COMPLEXITY OF GEOGRAPHY, POPULATION GROWTH, AND INFORMATION NEEDS. PROBLEM AREAS, SUCH AS UNDEFINED GOALS AND LACK OF TRAINING, ARE ALSO EXAMINED. TIME-SAVING AND COST-SAVING ASPECTS OF GEOGRAPHIC BASE FILE SYSTEMS ARE STRESSED.