NCJ Number
202868
Date Published
May 2002
Length
155 pages
Annotation
This document provides step-by-step guidance to local law enforcement agencies implementing an automated incident-based Records Management System (RMS) that is compatible with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Abstract
Law enforcement agencies must maintain accurate, easily accessible records of the information that is relevant to law enforcement and public safety in their community. In the majority of cases, law enforcement agencies report crime statistics to State agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the RMS must support this procedure. In 1989, the FBI instituted a new crime-reporting system, the NIBRS, to provide a more detailed and comprehensive view of crime in the United States. NIBRS provides local agencies an enhanced picture of crime in their jurisdictions. Section 1 describes the steps an agency should follow in deciding to use a NIBRS-compliant RMS and outlines information necessary to make this decision. The major factors that should be considered in making the decision to proceed are justification for system change, project goals and scope, estimated cost, operation and maintenance costs and options, funding options, and organizational commitment. Section 2 describes the process for defining RMS capabilities and requirements. This process includes designating the project manager and RMS team, defining the system requirements and constraints, and defining the RMS operating environments. Section 3 examines how to estimate costs and describes other cost and funding considerations. Costs include hardware, software, training, installation, and data conversion. Section 4 discusses the specific procedure agencies should follow if they decide to use RMS vendors. The steps include the procurement process, acquisition strategy, RFP and schedule development, and conducting source selection. Section 5 describes activities necessary for managing RMS and NIBRS implementation. Section 6 describes how to prepare for and install the new computer-based RMS. Section 7 provides a guide to prepare agencies to operate the new NIBRS-complaint RMS. The activities described in this section should be performed simultaneously with those described in Sections 1 through 6. 4 appendices