NCJ Number
217394
Date Published
2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This guide presents best practices recommendations for the development of Web sites for smaller police agencies.
Abstract
The guide begins by identifying the practical and technical barriers to Web site development. Practical barriers include identifying the information most desired by the public as well as identifying what type of information the agency wants published on the Web site. Technical barriers include finding someone to design and build the Web site and securing it from cyber vandalism. When agencies decide to overcome these barriers and build a Web site, four main steps should be followed: plan, program, promote, and manage. Planning involves the decision of what components should be displayed on the Web site and the collection of materials for publication on the site. The program portion of the task involves converting all the material into an Internet readable format while the promotion aspect involves advertising to the public that the Web site is in place. Finally, the Web site must be continually managed and updated to remain current and relevant. Helpful software for the development of Web sites and advanced Web site components are listed followed by a discussion of the importance of choosing an appropriate domain name for the Web site. Once a name has been chosen, agencies can go to a number of sites on the Internet to register the domain name, usually for around $25 to $35 per year. Finally, the guide presents a list of police Web sites for use as examples. Example Web sites are listed by agency size. Exhibits