NCJ Number
85156
Date Published
Unknown
Length
256 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the results of a project to develop and field test a hand-held, portable digital computer terminal for use by foot patrol officers in obtaining information from computerized criminal justice information systems.
Abstract
The project was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia under a grant from LEAA. Other goals were to permit direct access to the information base without the aid or intervention or a radio dispatcher and to permit digital inquiries in plain text so that a minimum of training would be required. Such a system was intended to reduce the congestion on radio channels, particularly at peak periods. Contracts were established with two private companies to develop two different types of prototype computer terminals. The terminals enabled any police officer to contact the data base from any location for which radio communications were possible. The prototypes met the goals of simplicity of access and use of plain text. Although the congestion of radio channels was not reduced appreciably during the 6-month test period, the experiment showed that a reduction could be achieved. The terminals were completely portable, although they were larger than a size that would be considered optimal. Officers had generally negative overall reactions to the terminal units in their present form, due largely to their size and equipment failures. It is recommended that continued efforts focus on the possible implementation of a digital system, with emphasis on the determination of the costs and technical characteristics of a practical system. Tables, figures, and detailed appendixes presenting technical and background information are provided.