WIRELESS COMPUTING

    Police departments, everywhere it seems, have been evaluating various MOBILE DATA projects and packages, like the header graphic from NEC suggests. Wireless transmission from field to station cuts down on a whole lot of routine report writing, and the connection from station to field can include database access.  A survey is located at the IACP Technology Clearinghouse. A whole lot of companies are jumping on the wireless bandwagon, for example, VisionAIR, formerly Vision 911 Software, has embraced wireless technology pretty hard, as have a number of other vendors. There's a lot of potential behind laptops in police cars.  WAP-compatible phones, PDAs, handhelds, PalmPilots, and pagers are additional wireless devices. Wireless handheld devices can also be used for training and education. Visit cybercop-software if you're interested in software apps for handheld PDAs.    

INTERACTIVE TRAINING

    You're probably familiar with well-known products like Range 2000, Advanced Interactive Systems, and F.A.T.S., but did you know that online delivery methods for anytime, anywhere online learning is catching on real fast? Everything from CPR first responder to an online Masters degree is available. My advice: find a regionally accredited school. See my Distance Education in Criminal Justice website, but beware, I've got some unaccredited ones listed. I'm intimately involved in setting up online Bachelor and Master degree programs. For CPR, try <www.lesstress.com> or <www.learncpr.org>. For EMS, try <www.victorytech.com>.  For plain ole video, you can always call upon LETN (Law Enforcement Training Network) or In The Line of Duty. There are numerous other CBT providers such as AST and Design-a-Course. Why not design your own web-based training module?      

PUBLIC SAFETY SOFTWARE SUITES

    These are usually CAD/RMS (Computer Assisted Dispatch/Records Management Systems) software packages, some of which incorporate other features.  Others are information retrieval, sorting, and analysis tools. You'll be able to to crime data reporting with some of this software, and maybe even advanced stuff, like converting from a UCR-based crime reporting system to one which is NIBRS-based. This doesn't have to be as difficult as most people make it out to be. Certain offenses are easily convertable, others are more difficult, like larceny and assault. Most of the bugs in the computer system are going to be due to inadequate programming and center around property field problems. On the other hand, you're going to have excellent victimological data. People that can help you include ASUCRP and SEARCH. There's a lot of vendors in this category, so I'll list them in no particular order:

MISCELLANEOUS POLICE SOFTWARE