NCJ Number
194291
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2002 Pages: 12,14-17,18
Date Published
March 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article contains advice for law enforcement agencies on the purchase and application of new equipment or technology.
Abstract
While the article cites examples relating to digital imaging, it claims that the suggested concepts can be applied to any business decision in law enforcement. Certain State law enforcement agencies have adopted a business practice known as Performance Based Budgeting, which determines future budget allocations. The primary emphasis is on evaluating current practices with the goal of increasing efficiency. The evaluation examines numerous business strategies, all with roots in the Scientific Method or the "Basic Steps of Systems Design." Those steps are: (1) identify/define the problem; (2) brainstorm possible solutions; (3) determine the likely positive and negative consequences for each solution; (4) choose one of the solutions; (5) try it out; (6) objectively evaluate test results. The article discusses integration of new technologies and presents a practical example from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.