LAW ENFORCEMENT DATA PROCESSING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT DATA PROCESSING SYMPOSIUM - ANNUAL, 2ND, 1978 - SEE NCJ-54083)

• NCJ Number: 54092
• Author(s): D LITTLE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A STEERING COMMITTEE, THE TRAINING OF MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, AND THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SUCCESSFUL SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED AS IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF DATA-PROCESSING MANAGEMENT.

Abstract

THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE INFORMATION SYSTEM RESTS WITH THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. ONE APPROACH TO EXECUTING THIS TOP MANAGEMENT ROLE IS TO ESTABLISH AN ELECTRONIC DATA-PROCESSING STEERING COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL APPLY THE POLICY AND GUIDANCE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN MEETING USER NEEDS THROUGH THE AGENCY'S INFORMATION PLAN. THIS COMMITTEE WOULD BE COMPOSED OF THE COMMAND LEVEL OFFICERS OF THE UNITS USING INFORMATION SERVICES, PLUS THE TOP PLANNING AND FINANCIAL OFFICER. THE COMMITTEE WOULD REVIEW INFORMATION SYSTEM PLANS, REQUIREMENTS, PROPOSALS, DESIGNS, AND EVALUATIONS. ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROGRESSIVE AND EFFECTIVE DATA-PROCESSING SYSTEM IS THE PROVISION OF BASIC TRAINING IN DATA PROCESSING FOR THE CHIEF AND TOP MANAGEMENT. PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS CAN PROVIDE THIS TYPE OF TRAINING. THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM PLAN IS ALSO IMPORTANT IN MANAGING THE EVOLUTION OF A POLICE INFORMATION SYSTEM. WHILE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPLETE INFORMATION SYSTEM IS A LONG AND EXPENSIVE PROCESS, POOR AND INCOMPLETE PLANNING CAN BE EVEN MORE COSTLY AND SOMETIMES DISASTROUS FOR FUTURE DATA-PROCESSING DEVELOPMENT. A GOOD PLAN SERVES AS A MANAGEMENT TOOL THAT TIES TOGETHER THE POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE AGENCY IN THE AREA OF INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS. FURTHER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO START WITH A SYSTEM THAT IS HIGHLY VISIBLE TO ALL OF THE SECTIONS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO THE PUBLIC. A WANTS AND WARRANTS SYSTEM OR A PARKING TICKET AND TRAFFIC VIOLATION SYSTEM WOULD QUALIFY AS IMMEDIATELY VISIBLE SYSTEMS. FINALLY, THE MOST IMPORTANT KEY TO SECURING THE SUPPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DATA PROCESSING IS TO ASSURE THAT THE FIRST SYSTEM IS SUCCESSFUL. THIS INVOLVES CAREFUL PLANNING AND SELECTION OF A SYSTEM THAT HAS PROVEN ITSELF IN MEETING THE USER NEED IDENTIFIED. (RCB)