NCJ Number
113761
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 36 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 126-129
Editor(s)
B W Cameron
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Atchison, Kansas, a community of 12,000, has a police department with big-city capabilities as the result of an advanced computer system owned by the municipal Government.
Abstract
The computer system -- an MAI 2000 -- is capable of matching stolen goods with descriptions, identifying crime trends in specific areas, and monitoring personnel performance. It speeds dispatching of unit crime calls, gives officers warnings about violent tendencies or firearm ownership of individuals they are about to encounter, follows the progress of cases through courts, simplifies compilation of mandated statistical reports, and even helps manage the evidence room. Initially, the administrative staff began developing their own police software programs using the MAI Origin software package. Eventually, a programming specialist was hired to develop an interactive, comprehensive system. In addition to a personnel module, the system includes a public file data base containing information on residents who have had contact with police. It provides information on name, address, aliases, social security number, traffic citations and other data. Other programs help identify suspects from physical descriptions, and will eventually be able to produce digitized mug shots. Another module enhances the dispatcher's ability to coordinate police movements. The fire department also has its own set of programs on the system. Photographs.