NCJ Number
9066
Date Published
1972
Length
21 pages
Annotation
SOME OF THE BENEFITS AND COSTS, AND VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE THE EFFECTIVE USE OF COMPUTERS BY POLICE.
Abstract
THE NUMBER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS REPORTED BY POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAS INCREASED GREATLY, WITH LARGE POLICE DEPARTMENTS MAKING USE OF COMPUTERS MOST OFTEN. RAPID POLICE INQUIRY AND DAILY OPERATIONS COMPRISE THE LARGEST APPLICATION OF POLICE ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING. OTHER APPLICATIONS INCLUDE THE FIELDS OF ADMINISTRATION, CRIME REPORTING, DEPLOYMENT AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION, AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. 'SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VARIABLES INFLUENCING THE SUCCESS OF COMPUTER USE APPEAR TO BE TOP LEADERSHIP, INVOLVEMENT OF POLICE PERSONNEL, ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES, TOP CALIBER COMPUTER-SYSTEMS STAFF, AND EMPHASIS ON HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION.' NUMEROUS CHARTS AND GRAPHS ARE USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE DISCUSSION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)