ICAP WAS DEVELOPED FROM THE ACCUMULATED EXPERIENCES OF A NUMBER OF POLICE PROGRAMS. IT IS A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO THE MANAGEMENT OF POLICE FUNCTIONS. CENTRAL TO THE CONCEPT IS THE USE OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED RECORDS COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION AND A MODEL WHICH USES DATA FROM THESE RECORDS TO PINPOINT PROBLEM AREAS AND CRIME TRENDS. ICAP CAN ALSO PROVIDE DATA ON THE DEMANDS MADE FOR PATROL SERVICE, MANPOWER AVAILABLE TO MEET THESE DEMANDS, MANPOWER ASSIGNMENTS, CRIME ANALYSIS, ANALYSIS OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY TYPE AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREA, AND EVALUATION OF PATROL EFFORTS. THIS MODEL CAN ALSO BE INTEGRATED WITH 'CAREER CRIMINAL' PROGRAMS OPERATED BY MANY PROSECUTORIAL AGENCIES. SUCH A LINK CAN ASSURE COOPERATION AMONG CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IN THE APPREHENSION AND PROSECUTION OF REPEAT OFFENDERS. A STEP-BY-STEP REVIEW OF THE QUESTIONS WHICH MUST BE ASKED AND THE NEEDS WHICH MUST BE IDENTIFIED BEFORE INSTALLING ICAP IS GIVEN IN NONTECHNICAL LANGUAGE. THIS PREPARATORY STAGE SHOULD INCLUDE ANALYSIS OF CRIME, INTELLIGENCE, AND OPERATIONS DATA NEEDS; DECIDING ON PATROL MANAGEMENT NEEDS; AND PLANNING INVESTIGATIONS MANAGEMENT. THE PROJECT EVALUATION IS EXPLAINED. A FINAL CHAPTER EXPLAINS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE ICAP STRUCTURE ONCE IT HAS BEEN INSTALLED. (GLR)