If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. DORSET POLICE ------ -----~--- -----------=-=.... , 13 -~--.----~~-~ .. -----~ 1 ') POLICE COMPUTING EXPERIENCE IN DORSET • « ---~----- -- >" - ."-,.'''~, '-"~">"'"~., ---_•• ,.~. _."._"" -- ._ •. -~ .• ---~-"~-- -----------------------~--- CONTENTS Page No. 1. INTRODUCTION 1 : } 2. BACKGROUND 2 j;, CP~ff rro,~.,,~ "'ilO"<!f""t 2.1 Force Structure ~i..' ~:!W~gllll i ',---" 11"'1;.;;,;v.. 2 2.2 Communications 5 2.3 Computerisation Developments 1964-1974 ifi,'; 5 3. NEW MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM 10 3.1 Description of Sub Systems 12 3.1.1 Command and Control 12 3.1. 2 Message Switching 13 3.1. 3 Management Information 13 3.2 System ArchitE:;cture 15 3.2.1 Comput:r Configuration 15 3.2.2 Visual -Jisplay Network 17 3.2.3 Teleprinter Network 17 3.2.4 Vehicle Status and Location Equipment 17 • 3.3 Training 17 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1 DORSET POLICE FORCE AREA 3 FIGURE 2 FORCE ORGANISATION 4 FIGURE 3 HISTOGRAM - RESOURCE ACTIVITY 8 FIGURE 4 MAP DISPLAY OF CALLS FOR SERVICE ETC 9 FIGURE 5 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION 16 FIGURE 6 VISUAL DISPLAY NETWORK 18 FIGURE 7 TELEPRINTER NETWORK 19 FIGURE 8 BOURNEMOUTH CONTROL ROOM 20 FIGURE 9 VEHICLE STATUS AND LOCATION EQUIPMENT 21 FIGURE 10 - FORCE TRAINING FACILITIES AT POOLE 22 D. L.!2199 i DORSET POLICE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM 1. INTRODUCTION The Dorset Police is in the process of implementing a computer - based Management Information System - the Force having pioneered I I the development of such systems by previously utilising the resources of the Local Authority (D:>rset County Council) computer. First experiments with the use of computers commenced in 1964 when the Local Authority made facilities available to produce basic crime and accidert statistics. Programmes were subse4uently refined and it then became very evident that computer analysis of the data available could provide valuable information for operational supervisors and senior management. Initially data was derived from manually prepared documents (a time consuming exercise) and therefore experiments were conducted to provide methods of real time input. A semi automatic vehicle status and location input device (VSL) was developed whereby mobile units could transmit information to control rooms by coded tones over VHF radio. This device used in conjunction with control room inputs enhanced the system by capturing in real time the location and status changes of all units and together provided the basis for a computerised command and control and management information system. Because of the potential foreseen, opportunity was taken in 1972 to reorganise the Force into a more positive system of Command and also to design communications to fit the Command structure. The reorganisation and introduction of the new system whilst highlighting the considerable capabilities of the computer as a management tool, also indicated the limitations of the computer facilities then available, ie information was only available historically. With the increasing level and complexity of police operations more comprehensive and up to date information and an improved communications sy~cem were required if maximum benefits were to be achieved. It should be mentioned that until this time virtually all the experiments had been conducted by the Force within its limited financial budget and computer expertise. Accordingly in 1974 an approach was made to the Home Office for assistance and following a feasibility study, it was agreed that as part of a programme to develop cost-effective computer systems for the Police Service as a whole the Force and the Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch should participate in implementing and evaluating a computer based management information system, the project being funded jointly. The system consists of two small police-dedicated computers supporting a sophisticated communications network of visual display terminals and teleprinters and also connected to the Local Authority computer by high speed data links. The police computer system will cater for inputs and retrieval of operational information in real time for example it will continuously record and monitor the activities of all operational police officers and will enable police controllers to allocate appropriate resources to emergency and other calls for immediate service. 1 Subsequent computer analysis of the information will indicate areas where efficiency may be improved. Data will be transferred to the Local Authority computer for long term storage retrieval and for the production of periodic management, statistical and other reports. The project comprises 14 sub-systems, five of which cover command and control, eight provide management information and the remaining SUb-system is the sophisticated computerised message switching system. Initially the message switching, incident logging and resource availability SUb-systems were introduced and the remaining facilities are being implemented as they become available. The major aim of the project, which is based upon requirements specified by Working Parties of the Force, is to develop a system which will benefit not only Dorset but the Police Service as a whole. It has already attracted wide interest from Police both at home and overseas and it is hoped that it may become a model for Forces wishing to develop their Ol1Tn system. The background and development of the command and control and management information system is explained in more detail in the ensuing pages. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 FORCE STRUCTURE The Dorset Police is a county force with a curX'ent (January 1978) establishment of 1114 officers. The county comprises some 2600 square kilometres (1050 square miles approx) with a reside.it population of almost 600,000 which trebles during the summer period. Although mainly a rural area there are several large conurbations for example Bournemouth (population 147,000) and Poole (population 111,000) - see map Figure 1. The force organisation is illustrated in Figure 2, It resulted from a major organisation in le72 which was designed to streamline the chain of command and p~omote greater efficiency in the use of resources. It differs in a number of respects from traditional police organisations but was founded upon four basic principles of organisation viz: 1. Organisation of manpower should have a clearly defined single chain of command and control, particularly when the work force operates in a fluid environment where decisions have to be taken frequently and quickly. 2. Command and control of field operations can only be carried out to optimum effe~; by management totally committed to the operations, with constantly updated knowledge concerning all mattgrs relating to them. 2 'l • WESTERN EASTERN HQ TOTAL ACREAGE 528,000 136,000 664,000 ~- POPULATION 208,000 348,000 556,000 FORGE ESTB. 406 681 27 1114 -t CIVILIAN ESTB 74 195 73 342 ::c: ,.." (B Shaftesbury r r"\ ::c j I". \\, ("") ( ',\, ........... \ v m ..... \ ......... .: ,<( SHERBORNE i BLANDf.ORD ".,. \ ,. I ~ > <-., Ferndown ::0 ".... ./ :...... 1 ...... ; .. ·· \:', ............ ,.." .) " ,-. J... "i .:::'/ ,., Wimborne .~.... :D- / . .... ~: .... ,,/!~ \ . /' t...... ·"". .. , C /., ' ..... ' '. Blandford __ -,'" CANFORm ." . ' .... , ) ... T 'vJ ('\.'..... WESTERN (.., C---" EASTI='Drf" 0 \ ,. -' \. \ r, ~'!1 I 0 ........ ... ~IDPORT \ DORCH ESTER \ \ I ~ :.. ''\ ). ::0 ····t_.· ." . /-.. _._.~I I Gravel Hill ,..·~·-·Ji en ymeReois ./ \ <--/." ..... ,.... ;,...; ", -; r ......•·• .. ) /.1 5warehom t._ :> ." ------------ C~. ~. VHF/UHF f'" {......... ~~~j~~-=! -0 \ I ............ BOURNEMOUTH 0 -===- ;._._ .......... '......... ., Wool ! ,." .~ ''-'-.1 WAREH~M WESTERN -(') ------ Divisions WEYMdUTH .-.~ ,/ (Fi· HQ t.. .. ..... m • orce '.",'~ _._._._.POOLE Sub-Divisions ---~~ \ Wool .-=~~i=--::::J~ ~~ ......... """" .. ,, ... Sections ." o 2 4 6 8 miles -- ! , ! , , 1 , , I = j I (i I iii iii i i Ci= o 2 4 6 8 10 12 kilometres ...... t. DORSET POLiCE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE CHIEF CONSTABLE I DEPUTY CHIEF CONSTABLE 1 Chief Superintendent (Discipline/Complaints) FORCE H.Q. f- I I Admin Organisation ASSISTANT Personnel and CHIEF Training Planning CONSTABLE St!]ff Superintendent Staff Superintendent (Crime) (Traffic) Divisional Commander (W) Divisional Commander (E) , Chief Superintendent DIV, H.Qs ChlefSU~ I Superintendent (Ops) l Chief Superintendent (Ops) ."_. c.ca Chief i~spector (Staff) Superintendent (Staff) c;~.- N Control C.I.D. Traffic Control C.I.D. Traffic SUB-DSVS. -I 1 Sub-Divisions and Sub- Divisions and Sections Sections • 3. Lines of communications must be purpose built so as to meet, in the most effective manner possible, the needs of the operational organisation they serve. 4. In order to be efficient operational management must have available to it comprehensive facts relating to . work load and be able to evaluate, objectively its own efficiency. The Force Headquarters is located at Winfrith near Dorchester and there are two territorial divisions, Eastern and Western, with their Headquarters at Bournemouth and Dorchester respectively. The Eastern Division has four sub-divisions and the Western six. Larger sub-divisions (either in terms of manpower or territory) are further divided into sections. Patrol (or beat) areas known as sub areas are defined within geographical boundaries each sub-area being allocated a unique three letter code which indicates the sub division, section and sub area. 2.2 COMMUNICATIONS Radio corr~unicatjon with operational