IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ENVIRONMENT, COMPUTERS CAN PROVE TO BE EITHER EXCESSIVELY COSTLY OR A BARGAIN, DEPENDING ON THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE PLANNED AND MANAGED. THE FOLLOWING VARIABLES INFLUENCE THE SUCCESS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES: (1) THE INVOLVEMENT AND QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP LEVELS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION; (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF A BASIC APPROACH AND PRIORITIES FOR AUTOMATION; (3) INVOLVEMENT OF ORGANIZATION PERSONNEL (WITH EMPHASIS ON BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DATA-PROCESSING PERSONNEL); (4) THE CALIBER OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TECHNICAL STAFF; AND (5) EMPHASIS ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PEOPLE AND COMPUTERS. COMPUTERS ARE USED PRIMARILY IN RECORDKEEPING AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS BUT HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DECISIONMAKING AT TOP MANAGEMENT LEVELS. (LKM)