Computer Aided Dispatching and Mobile Data Terminals



Computer Aided Dispatching and Mobile Data Terminals

Introduction

The law enforcement agencies, within the span of the decade, have glimpsed a detonation of new technologies and computer based applications. These applications are designed to enhance the ability of the law enforcement agencies to do everything from mapping crimes to tracking caseloads.

Several new tools of law enforcement are brought by these new technologies; they are creating new confronts as well. In the procurement of the systems of technology of the government, retailers have all the time edge on the others (McDonald, 1998). Law enforcement procurements, throughout requirements, are repeatedly guided by the line officers. These officers have minute experience with the process and very tiny experience with the technologies they are attaining. Justifiably, the results and outcomes of these are mixed and diverse.

Through the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Department of Justice (DOJ), in 1998, specially made the Technology Acquisition Project (TAP). The process was examined by the TAP team through which the information technology (IT) systems were acquired by the law enforcement agencies.

In addition, developed case studies were also attained that emphasized the general practices that guided to both the successes and failures. This topic is focused on the procurement, decision making, impact phases, and implementation of the process of acquisition (McDonald, 1998).

Discussion

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems permits the communications and safety operations of the public to be assisted, increased or moderately proscribed by an computerized system. Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) can comprise of, between other potentials, incident reporting, computer-controlled emergency vehicle dispatching, management information, and vehicle status.

All the features of a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system must be improved and enhanced for the system reliability and the swift reaction time. The CAD system, as the time is of the real meaning, it must precisely give a time stamp and data for all the movements (LEITSC, 2003). The preliminary information for an incident is collected by the CAD systems and then presents the data to one or more RMS systems. Other activities are also supported by the CAD system that support in the effectual exercise of the resources of the public safety.

This also comprises of the “Be on the lookout” (BOLO) files, shift change roll call, and the capability to plan a call in the future. For improving the procurement practices in the justice technology there are several business functions. These are:

Support Services

CAD System Administrators

Law Enforcement Dispatch

Interfaces

Call Management and Management Reporting

Fire Dispatch

Properties

EMS Dispatch

Intelligent Transportation

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems are exercised by the law enforcement agencies to facilitate the communication and the incident response in the field. In many cases, the CAD systems are the primary point of admission for the information that will be arriving into the law enforcement system.

The functions of a typical CAD system consists of the location verification, resource management, dispatching, call disposition, call taking, and unit status management. Mapping functionality, in addition, interface with the Mobile Data Computers (MDC) along with the interfacing with other external state, local, ...