NCJ Number
86808
Date Published
1982
Length
32 pages
Annotation
The Investigative Management Information System (IMIS) of the Colorado Springs Police Department lacks accuracy and timeliness. A mechanism for ongoing interaction between IMIS administration and IMIS users should be established, and the need for access to the terminals for online inquiries should be evaluated.
Abstract
IMIS offers numerous reports for the management and evaluation of investigative functions. It provides the baseline and subsequent data whereby the impact of improved management practices might be evaluated. IMIS also provides the means whereby feedback on case status can be provided to the patrol officer who conducted the initial investigation, as well as the victims of the crime. In addition, IMIS provides the mechanism whereby feedback can be provided from prosecutors to the police department. IMIS currently includes but a fraction of the data elements for which it was designed. Data are entered only for cases assigned to investigators, thus limiting the amount of feedback which can be provided to patrol officers and victims. Solvability factors are not entered, nor is routine prosecutorial feedback. The majority of reports suggested in the IMIS users manual have been produced without difficulty. Problems center on the system's current operation. It is recommended that an IMIS coordinator be held responsible and accountable for overall system accuracy and coordination. Input from users should be obtained with regard to need and measures which would improve IMIS accuracy. One figure, two footnotes, and three tables are provided; a sample case report is appended.