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DORSET POLICE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM - DESIGN OF EASTERN DIVISIONAL CONTROL ROOM AND CONTROL CONSOLES (ENGLAND)

NCJ Number
62928
Author(s)
K E COOMBES; M C CLARK
Date Published
1978
Length
36 pages
Annotation
IMPROVEMENT OF THE EASTERN DIVISIONAL CONTROL ROOM OF THE DORSET POLICE DEPARTMENT OF DORSET, ENGLAND, TO HOLD THE NEW COMPUTERIZED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
SINCE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT COULD NOT ACCOMMODATE THE CONSOLES, SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION WAS NEEDED. THREE TELEPHONE CONSOLES, THREE RADIO CONSOLES, ONE SERGEANT'S CONSOLE, ONE CONTROLLER'S CONSOLE, AND ONE TRAINING CONSOLE NEEDED ROOM. THE CONTROL DESIGN PROCESS INVOLVED SEVERAL STEPS INCLUDING JOB ANALYSIS, DETAILING OF PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION, GENERATION OF ALTERNATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS, TRIALS OF ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS ON FULL-SCALE RIG, DETAILED DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND INSTALLATION. THE MATERIAL COST PER CONSOLE WAS LIMITED TO 150 BRITISH POUNDS. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF LAYOUTS INCLUDED FLEXIBILITY OF CONSOLE DESIGN, EASE OF MOVEMENT WITHIN THE ROOM, EASE OF ACCESS TO THE EMERGENCY EXIT, PROMOTION OF A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, EASE OF SUPERVISION AND COMMUNICATION, AND SUITABILITY FOR MAJOR INCIDENT HANDLING. INTERIOR DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOCUSED ON LIGHTING CONSIDERATIONS, HEATING AND VENTILATION, NOISE CONTROL, AND ACCESS TO MAPS AND PROJECTION SCREENS. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE CONSOLE DESIGNER WAS TO MAKE THE CONSOLES APPEAR AS CONTROL ROOM FURNITURE RATHER THAN EQUIPMENT CABINETS. AN INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, AN ERGONOMIST, AN INTERIOR DESIGNER, AND A POLICE LIAISON OFFICER CONTRIBUTED TO THE DESIGN PROCESS. REFERENCES, TABLES, DIAGRAMS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND APPENDIXES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM. (LWM)