Interoperability

Interoperability

Interoperability

Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor's from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master's Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton. He completed all of the course work in his doctoral studies in business research. Raymond is a graduate of the West Point Leadership program and has attended law enforcement, technology and leadership programs such as the National Institute for Justice, Technology Institute, Washington, DC.

Raymond is currently a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement. For instance, he was recently interviewed by the London Independent on the use of cellular telephone technology in explosive devices.

This article discusses the interoperability of police databases in the EU with reference to the 24 November 2005 Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on improved effectiveness, enhanced interoperability and synergies among European databases in the area of Justice and Home Affairs. The different levels of interoperability are identified. Straightforward interoperability within the EU is distinguished from four more controversial levels of interoperability, such as interoperability with atypical systems and interoperability with systems outside the EU. On the basis of this analysis the question of the desirability and suitability interoperability is addressed, followed by a discussion of the necessary guarantees to be included. Contrary to what is often suggested, interoperability is a highly sensitive political issue. The attempt of the Commission's 2005 Communication, to make it look like a mere technical issue does not create the right context for a serious and in-depth discussion.

Advances in criminal justice technology can help police to be able to respond faster to help control crime, maintain order, and responding to emergency 911 calls by regulating the flow of traffic on radio systems. By the use of technology, it can enhance the police agencies, fire departments, and ambulance services response time. When the response time is faster, the public safety and well-being is being met.

Interoperability is important to law enforcement agencies and other emergency agencies to be able to talk and share data in real time. Having real time data is critical to keep the public safe and have faster response time for all agencies involved. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), through its CommTech program, works to develop solutions to these problems facing all the agencies involved in keeping our public safe (NIJ, 2006).

Software applications and hardware assist in the way management dispatches calls for ...