NCJ Number
124933
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 17 Issue: 7 Dated: (July/August 1990) Pages: 50-52
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In 1987, the New York Police Department instituted a video communications system to streamline operations between the time of arrest and the time the arresting officer swears to the district attorney's affidavit and to allow prosecutors to interview officers, plaintiffs, and witnesses from separate locations through audio and video transmissions.
Abstract
The first program was implemented in Brooklyn and designed to localize the processing process and reduce the number of hours police officers had to be absent from patrol. The technology, consisting of a video communications system and fax machine, reduced the time between arrest and complaint swearing by almost 50 percent; savings on overtime costs and return of arresting officers to patrol duty were estimated at 25 percent. Through videoconferencing, up to 80 percent of witnesses were interviewed, compared to up to 15 percent who previously appeared to testify. The pilot project was replicated in Manhattan District Attorney's Narcotics Division. The two-way audio and full-motion video system consists of ten interview modules located at the D.A.'s office, the 32nd Precinct, and Port Authority. Videoconferencing during seven months in Manhattan increased officers' available patrol time by 10,000 hours and saved $900,000 in overtime costs. In Queens, the police department has co-opted the complaint preparation function; the project there initially involved only narcotics arrests, but is scheduled to include all arrests made in the borough.