Valleywide : Computerization of Police Files Urged

In the latest effort to modernize the Los Angeles Police Department, City Councilman Joel Wachs has proposed computerizing the way detectives keep track of their investigations.

Currently, LAPD detectives maintain and update their case files by hand. If the City Council approves Wachs’ motion, scheduled for consideration today, the Police Department would get $1.3 million to computerize detectives’ records.

“We figure it could save at least 15% of the time that detectives spend processing paper,” said Bill Russell, commanding officer of the LAPD’s support services bureau.

A computerized case-tracking system would allow police detectives to more efficiently update their files, from the time a crime report is taken to the time a case is presented to the district attorney’s office.

If the system were computerized, a detective could more quickly answer questions from citizens, deputy district attorneys or other law enforcement officers, Russell said. The latest push to automate LAPD operations is in line with Mayor Richard Riordan’s campaign to computerize the Police Department through fund raising and other means.

City Councilwoman Laura Chick has also been a leader in the effort to increase police productivity through computerization, calling for a comprehensive modernization of the department.

Police Chief Willie L. Williams has said that establishing a computer network at the department would free officers--who now spend up to 40% of their time doing paperwork--to battle crime.