Applications & Services

Police Computer-aided Dispatch System

Overview

Computer-aided Dispatch (CAD) is part of LOGIS’s comprehensive data processing solution for police agencies. (LOGIS also offers a Police Records Management System—RMS—that is integrated with CAD.) CAD automates all major functions of the dispatching operation, providing efficient, accurate support for public safety communications centers. It is an interactive, command-driven application which tracks the status of field units and incidents. CAD stores and quickly retrieves the critical information upon which police, fire, and EMS dispatchers rely.

Improved Efficiency and Performance
Compared to manual dispatch centers, CAD improves personnel performance and expedites the flow of information. Dispatchers have access to several on-line information files to assist them while they work. On-screen forms and cursor movement keys enable efficient entry of incidents. Multiple jurisdictional capabilities are built into the system, allowing contract or cooperative dispatching. The system is flexible enough to handle various dispatching environments, such as dedicated call takers and dispatchers, or separate fire dispatching stations. CAD improves efficiency, standardizes procedures, and increases accountability and officer safety. It also provides crucial information for making management decisions about allocating valuable personnel resources.

Connections to other Products and Services
CAD is integrated with the LOGIS Police Records Management System (RMS). Basic incident information from CAD is automatically transferred to RMS for permanent storage and analysis; needless “double-entry” of data is eliminated. An interface to the E911 system provides automatic phone number and address identification. Queries to the State from the dispatch command line and automatic State license plate checks on traffic stops are also time saving features for the dispatcher.

Mobile Computing Devices (MCDs)
The CAD system allows connections to mobile terminals or laptop computers installed in police cars. Officers can receive dispatch information, make inquiries into local CAD and Records data, make State and Federal inquiries, and exchange non-voice messages with other officers. Information brought directly to the patrol car reduces competition for radio time, improves accuracy, and can enhance officer safety. The MCDs can run on either CDPD or RF software.

Below is just a sample of the many features available from the Computer-aided Dispatch System.

Automates the call-taking, status monitoring, dispatching, and history keeping functions of a communication center.
Handles citizen calls, verifies locations, and checks previous incidents.
Displays premise information, tracks unit status, and maintains incident dispositions.
Shows the real-time activity of units and incidents via separate, color-coded status screens.
Provides an extremely high level of accountability by establishing an audit trail of each transaction (including time stamps) for later review.
Helps standardize dispatching procedures.
Supports all types of public safety agencies, from the smallest to the largest, whether individual or consolidated within one communications center.
Handles multiple jurisdictions within the same communications center.
Allows tighter control of personnel resources through printed reports detailing officer and dispatcher performance.
Speeds the entry of incidents using on-screen forms and cursor movement keys.
Shows the real-time activity of units and incidents via status screens that are updated constantly.
Provides real-time unit management and off-line incident analysis.
Allows State and Federal queries from the dispatch command line. All queries can be printed.
Reports detail EMS activity and allows administrators to adjust staffing in order to maintain a high level of medical service.
Includes unit posting schemes, automatic plan changes, special status displays, and timestamps.
Verifies incident location against an agency built geofile list of streets, intersections, and commonplace names.
Stores critical dispatch information including date, time, prior incidents by address, freeform notes, alarm numbers, and duty rosters.
Collects incident and unit performance data, organizes it into workable information, and allows managers to make critical staffing decisions accordingly.
Based on call type, incident location, and dynamic analysis of unit status, recommends the appropriate units to send.
Allows dispatchers to maintain unit status, to enter incident dispositions, and to perform utility functions necessary to maintain control of the field units.

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