NCJ Number
174995
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 25 Issue: 10 Dated: October 1998 Pages: 72-74-76
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
One aspect of community policing involves the police in soliciting help from private businesses that have the expertise and resources to enhance police operations so they can better serve the community; this article provides some examples of such cooperation.
Abstract
The Dallas office of the Microsoft Corporation recently played a leading role in developing the Case Management System for the Child Exploitation Unit of the Dallas Police Department (Texas). Microsoft donated the design time, expertise, and software as a public service. Microsoft studied the operations of the unit and queried officers about their needs and problems in conducting investigations. Microsoft then developed a computerized information system that enables police to take given information on a suspect, such as a physical description or a name, enter it into the system, and determine other information that can provide additional leads. Large corporations have a certain amount of money available each year that either goes for conventional advertising or some form of philanthropy. Money spent on community programs often is tax deductible, and in many cases, unless money is spent on community projects, a significant portion of it will go to taxes. Many companies support local causes by donating employees' time and expertise and by making facilities and equipment available to nonprofit agencies at little or no cost. The willingness to reach out to other organizations and maximize the benefit of cooperative action is a key to dealing with many crime-related problems. It is part of community policing and problem-oriented policing. The Dallas project has already helped the police rescue an abducted 14-year- old girl.