Law Enforcement Tech Guide: How To Plan, Purchase and Manage Technology (Successfully!)

• NCJ Number: 196953
• Author(s): Kelly J. Harris; William H. Romesburg
• Date Published: September 2002
• Length: 294 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2001-CK-WX-K064
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Corporate Author: SEARCH Group Inc.
• Sale Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded November 3, 2005.

Annotation

In helping law enforcement agencies implement new information technologies (IT), this guide provides step-by-step analyses of the technology planning, acquisition, implementation, and integration processes that support public safety and community policing objectives.

Abstract

Part I, "Building the Foundation," contains three chapters that pertain to the establishment of a decisionmaking structure; hiring, training, and assigning the responsibilities of the project manager; and developing a project charter, which defines the project's scope in broad terms. Part II, "Conduct a Needs Analysis," first discusses how to obtain information that will help refine the broad terms contained in the charter. This is followed by a chapter on techniques for soliciting ideas from project participants about what they need to make their daily work more efficient. The other two chapters in Part II provide guidance on developing general system requirements and making the decision about whether to build or buy an IT system. Part III, "Create a Project Plan," contains six chapters that address the nature and rationale for project planning, how to conduct scope planning, the development of the project's timeline, estimating costs and developing a budget, creating a risk management plan, and preparing a comprehensive communications plan. Part IV, "Acquiring the Technology," contains two chapters that provide detailed guidance on the steps in an efficient and effective procurement process and the creation of a contract between the agency and the chosen vendor. The contract defines the obligations between the parties, including deliverables, services, and responsibilities. Part V, "Implement the Technology," provides instruction in preparing an implementation plan and developing and using quality assurance tests. Part VI, "Maintaining the Technology," describes the project closeout tasks, provides a checklist of recurring tasks, and discusses grant management and compliance. Appended information technology descriptions, a glossary, and a 70-item annotated bibliography with extensive Web site listings