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What Impact Will the California State University, Saacramento, Debit Card (One Card) Have on the University Police Department by the Year 2003?

NCJ Number
177779
Author(s)
Kenneth J. Barnett
Date Published
May 1998
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The University Police Department at California State University, Sacramento, implemented a stored value-added card system in 1998 ("one-card" system) to allow the use of debit card technology in conducting financial transactions on campus and identifying staff, faculty, and students.
Abstract
The future of the one-card system was evaluated using the nominal group technique. Experts in the fields of law enforcement and fiscal management identified several issues associated with the use of the one-card system: closed computer systems, training programs for the campus community and law enforcement, and the establishment of policies and procedures for detecting system problems. Data were collected on trends and events that would impact the University Police Department's use of the one-card system. Trends included calls for service, resources for investigating high-tech crimes, debit card theft and related criminal activity, fraudulent card use, and training law enforcement personnel in high-tech crime. Events included loss of technical support or electrical power for the system, civil unrest by campus populations or radical groups, changes in debit card legislation, and security breaches. The examination of trends and events indicated a need for the development of a strategic plan to deal with issues associated with the one-card system. Recommendations to ensure the campus community and law enforcement have a safe environment in which to use the one-card system are offered.