Law & Order

Motorola Premier Cad(Tm) in Fox River

With the help of Motorola, public safety officials in four counties, Brown, Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago, have launched an unprecedented technology venture called FoxComm to bring centralized dispatch. While it made sense to develop a common definition of what the counties needed and to do a common search, at that point there was no consensus on selecting one shared system or three separate systems that would at least allow the three counties to access each other's records. Then Brown Co...

Anti-Police Internet Sites

Although particular Web sites would lead some readers to believe that they have acquired secrets or forbidden information, the fact is that information that has been available to the public before is simply more accessible now via the Internet. Here, Schanlaub discusses how police officers can benefit from understanding how dissenters and anarchists use the Internet.

Candidate Evaluation and Scoring

One of the unique characteristics of the assessment center is that it ensures that all candidates will be evaluated impartially, fairly and objectively based upon their demonstrated ability to perform the tasks necessary to succeed in their potential new positions. Experience has shown that people who do well in an assessment center generally prove capable of performing the duties of the position for which they are being considered. Law enforcement agencies may employ a "pass-fail" method whe...

Changing the Culture of Your Organization

Cresie discusses changing the culture of an organization. The steps necessary for significant changes in culture take time to become effective. Not only must the chief and leaders change the processes, employees must also change expectations and value systems. While the commitment to the change is long-term, ordinary day-to-day decisions and actions must all be based upon making progress toward realizing the organization's vision.

Cyberstalking

Petrocelli discusses the new crime of cyberstalking that has presented a new challenge to law enforcement. Cyberstalking occur when electronic technology is utilized to create a criminal level of intimidation, harassment, or fear.

Kent Police Success Story: Convergence to the Rescue

Wright discusses how the County of Kent Police Force meets its goals for productivity and responsiveness by using a converged network which helps to streamline operations. With such reliance on telephone-based communication, it was essential that the 6000 police officers and civilian staff working in 16 main police stations, plus more than 30 local offices and specialist departments across the country have access to a reliable and cost-effective system.

Data Storage Technologies

Coping with the significant demands created by the rapid growth digital still cameras and digital music players, wildly successful devices such as the Apple iPod have emerged in the market. Efficiently managing all these digital media requires a reasonably powerful computer, and substantial amounts of storage capacity. Rataj discusses several electronic devices and storage technologies.

Middle Management's Obligation and Opportunity

Johnson discusses middle management's obligation and opportunity in law enforcement. Among other things, middle managers help their officers "see" what will be accomplished by carrying out department policy. But when this task is approached as an opportunity, the vision of the supervisor creates is more than works on the paper of a written directive.

Patrol Staffing Analysis

The results of patrol staffing analysis can be used to justify staffing concerns and explain to community managers or council members what personnel resources are needed and why. Some communities have begun using outcome based budgeting, which requires city departments to justify their budget requests based on the output of the department's services. A well thought out method of determining staffing can help achieve the agency's budget and community service goals for communities of any size.

Mace to Purchase Securetek

Mace Security International Inc recently announced that on Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005, it signed a definitive purchase agreement to purchase Securetek, a Miami FL based producer of electronic security products. Mace plans to close this transaction today, Nov 28, 2005. Securetek is on track to generate approximately $5.0 million in annual sales for the fiscal year ending 2005, and had annual revenues of approximately $4.5 million in fiscal year 2004.

Calendar of Events

On The Job

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Sanow discusses the use of alternative fuel vehicles in police fleet management. Many chiefs and fleet managers are urgently looking for some Alt Fuel Vehicles for their fleet, and one such police package vehicle existing is the Chevrolet Tahoe. A full-size SUV, the Tahoe is an excellent vehicle for what it does, but may not be the best fit for all fleets.

News

Spillman Releases Summit 4.5

Spillman Technologies announces the release of Summit 4.5, an enhanced solution that brings together all of the company's public safety applications into one easy-to-use collection. The new release offers dual-platfoem capability, supporting both Unix and Windows operating systems.

Public Safety Systems, Inc Awarded Contract with Pentagon Force Protection Agency

Public Safety Systems Inc was awarded a contract worth nearly $3 million with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. The contract includes an upgrade to their existing Records Management System as well as the addition of a new Computer Aided Dispatch system with mobile and AVL software.

Technology

Project Car 54

Gordon describes Project Car 54, a joint project between the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Department of Safety and is supported by the US Department of Justice and New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg. Project 54's primary purpose is to integrate all the devices into one common control system and application, and operate all that equipment by voice command.

Open Channels

Evalis Protects Officers From Law Suits

Careless describes how a unique personal performance and evaluation system called "Evalis," protects law enforcers from law suits. Evalis is a software-based incident reporting system that helps police commanders monitor their officers' actions more effectively, responding to ill-advised or inappropriate officer decisions before they bring the officer and the department into disrepute.

Training

Use of Force Policy Training Issues

One of the most important aspects of a law enforcement officer's duty relates to the use of force. If officers do not respond with force in certain circumstances, the officers may pay the ultimate price with their lives. Here, Nowicki discusses the use of force policy training issues.

Traffic

A Quota by Any Other Name

Sharp discusses a recent author-conducted survey regarding the existence of quotas in a full 100% of the 30 law enforcement agencies that replied to the survey. Despite the respondents' disavowal of quotas or point systems, controversy remains over their existence. For one thing, there is a feeling amonmg skeptics that law enforcement administrators use semantics to disguise quota programs.

Product Spotlight

Trimble 'T-Ticket' Mobile Computer

Gordon reviews Trimble T-Ticket mobile computer.

Captain

Happy Holidays

For individuals who, under the best of circumstances, are sad or depressed, such melancholy is all the more keenly felt during the holidays. While friends and family gather to enjoy the convivial spirit of the season, many of the police officers will be required to work. Here, Johnson discusses the feelings and experiences of police officers during the holidays.

Media Relations

Seven Cardinal Rules for News Conferences

For major announcements, especially controversial ones, news conferences are law enforcement's salvation. They provide an easy way to present information and they also give the much needed "out" when the representative is done speaking. Here, Donlon-Cotton discusses the seven cardinal rules for news conferences.

Special Report

Evaluating an Entry-Level Exam

Selecting the right entry-level examination process is inseparably linked to the identification of the best candidates to hire. Two essential elements should be evaluated in order to identify the best test: the technical features of the test and the non-technical features. Legel discusses what one should look for when reviewing a test to ensure that it is sufficiently valid.

Community

Nopd 30 Days After Katrina

While the nation watched the chaos unfold, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) quietly went about the job of saving lives. Even 30 days after Hurricane Katrina, the city was still in survival mode. As NOPD was joined by law enforcement agencies from all over the US, chaos was transferred to an eerie calm. Officers bonded together and stood shoulder to shoulder knowing that together, they were stronger than the elements against them.