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COMMAND AND CONTROL IN BEDFORDSHIRE (ENGLAND)

NCJ Number
63118
Journal
Police Research Bulletin Issue: 32 Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 4-9
Author(s)
J BOOTHBY; G CHARLTON
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRALIZED COMPUTER-ASSISTED COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED FOR THE NEW BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE FORCE HEADQUARTERS (ENGLAND).
Abstract
FULLY CENTRALIZED COMPUTERIZED CONTROL AT HEADQUARTERS WAS SELECTED THAT USES A DUAL MINI-COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH CAPABILITY FOR EXPANSION. A CONSTABLE WAS ASSIGNED TO WORK WITH THE SELECTED COMPUTER FIRM, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE POLICE PROJECT TEAM. THIS OFFICER REGULARLY MONITORED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT. THE FACILITIES DEVELOPED PROVIDE FIVE MAJOR AREAS OF SERVICES: (1) RESOURCE AVAILABILITY--A PERSONNEL FILE WITH BASIC DETAILS ON EACH OFFICER; (2) INCIDENT LOGGING--THE DISPLAY AT HEADQUARTERS AND DIVISION STATIONS OF INCIDENTS, INCLUDING RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE AREA OF THE INCIDENT AND A RECORD OF ANY ACTION TAKEN; (3) BURGLAR ALARMS--ACTION PLANS FOR ALL SILENT BURGLAR ALARM INSTALLATIONS; (4) MESSAGE SWITCH--TELEPRINTERS COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER WITHOUT NEEDING TO RELAY MESSAGES AT HEADQUARTERS AND THE COMPUTER STORING MESSAGES SO THEY CAN BE REPEATED IF NECESSARY; AND (5) DAILY REPORT--THE PRINTING EACH MORNING AT HEADQUARTERS AND ALL STATIONS OF A DETAILED SUMMARY OF SERIOUS INCIDENTS AND A SHORT SURVEY OF OTHER INCIDENTS COVERING THE PREVIOUS 24 HOURS. OTHER FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE COMPUTER INCLUDE A MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION FILE FOR PLANS OF ACTION AND OTHER INFORMATION HELD IN THE CONTROL ROOM. VARIOUS SEARCH TECHNIQUES ARE AVAILABLE SO THAT INCIDENT LOGS, RESOURCE DETAILS, AND OTHER INFORMATION CAN BE QUICKLY DISPLAYED. VARIOUS REMINDERS ARE ALSO INCLUDED SO THAT MINOR INCIDENTS CAN BE DELAYED UP TO 24 HOURS WITHOUT BEING OVERLOOKED. (RCB)