Holland Police Department

We’ve got the latest equipment, we’ve got the most contemporary software , we’ve got the manpower, we’re motivated .... ready to go, right? 

Wrong !!! The technology manager comes to the table with the mindset that we operate with hard facts and data rather than through emotion and hearsay. Frequently, the biggest challenge to law enforcement technology administrator’s isn’t the procurement and installation of equipment, rather it’s the political hurdles which can stifle the project. How often has the technology project manager heard , "we use Digital VAX and we’re not going to switch" or "IBM is the only way to go- don’t ask us to change". 

Hidden agendas, protecting one’s own turf or just not being knowledgeable are just a few of the pitfalls the multi-jurisdictional information manager must guard against.

Currently a number of criminal justice agencies in Ottawa County are participating in the multi-jurisdictional/discipline, federally funded, Weed and Seed program. Part of our Weed and Seed program goals are to enhance the shared records management system, and to improve the accessibility and usability of the data base to all municipal, county and state criminal justice agencies in Ottawa County. In addition, we are planning to develop a criminal justice information system that would be "one point" entry from dispatch, onto police agency records, to jail/booking facilities, onto the prosecutor’s office and finally into the court system records. Under the auspices of the County of Ottawa - Management Information Services, City of Holland - Information Services and the Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority a plan was developed to work towards these goals. One of , if not the most, formidable components of the project has been the political implications surrounding the project. There seems to be a wide spectrum of expertise(or lack thereof) in the area of computer programming knowledge in the public service sector. Some agencies readily admitted little or no knowledge of computerized records management/while other agencies profess a wealth of knowledge in the area of computerization-where the mind set is that their "in-house" programs far exceed anything available off the shelf.

Very typically, strong personalities have positions of control in the public sector thus, the technology manager must be cognizant of this and have the skill, authority and political backing to act.

As the guiding principles of Community Policing suggest, every one can benefit, if everyone has input. We found in the Ottawa County project that the best avenue to approach these challenges was through up front and frank communication. Goals, objectives and concerns were charted. Obviously, consensus is the hallmark to success of the project. The political ramifications, in and of itself, can be the Achilles Heel to the successful implementation of a project. Planning, openness and cooperation are all key to the success of the multi-jurisdictional information project.

The criminal justice practitioners of Ottawa County are proud of the advances we have made in our information sharing endeavors. All public safety units in Ottawa County are equipped with Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) or Mobile Computer Terminals (MCT) units. The units are dispatched in an effective and efficient way. Also, the information is used for crime analysis purposes. The county-wide fiber optic system allows for digitized mugshots and fingerprints to be transmitted between the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department. 

Remote criminal arraignments are now routine between the three remote district courts and the Sheriff’s Departments and Holland Police Department Lock-up facility via the fiber link. The prosecutor and district court(s) have access to law enforcement records without requesting a physical "hard copy". Also, the prosecutor’s office, district court and the probation department can access local law enforcement records as well as the National Crime Information Center(NCIC) and State of Michigan (LEIN) Law Enforcement Network Informtion from their PCs. Likewise, law enforcement personnel can access other law enforcement agencies, district court and probation records through the system. These are results of the collaborative efforts of many dedicated people in the Criminal Justice profession of Ottawa County. Again, vision, open communication, and a willingness to compromise enabled us to realize this goal.

Our system has come a long way, still our plans call for an even more aggressive use of shared information and data resources. Plans for the near future include electronic generated traffic citations issued via the MCT system. Shortly, the general public will be able to access crime statistics via the internet. Computerized crime locating and mapping through a Geographic Information System (GIS) are on the drawing board. 

Still, one of the most important lessons a criminal justice information manager can learn is that the system cannot be everything for all people. Every criminal justice agency involved, big or small, must understand that there is a lot of giving before realizing the benefits of a multi-jurisdictional informational system. The project manager would be well advised to develop good working relationships with the personalities involved. A strong understanding of the political dynamics by the project manager is essential before embarking on the project.

Not only do the criminal justice professionals benefit from the sharing of information but in the end the citizens of the community become the true benefactors since the ending results are safer neighborhoods and better communities to raise families and do business. 

For additional information contact:
Captain Blaine A. Koops
Holland Police Department
(616) 355-1100

Problem Solving With Technology
Elizabeth Bonello, Lansing Police Department

Problem solving is at the heart of Community Policing, and the Lansing Police Department is committed to working with neighborhoods to resolve quality of life concerns. Lieutenant Steven Person recently introduced the department’s newest high-tech problem solving tool. "Our new web site demonstrates our continued efforts to allow citizens closer access to the police problem solving teams through the use of technology," said Lt. Person.

Using the Lansing Police Department’s web site, citizens can have easy access to the problem solving team assigned to their area. Residents can report a problem to the police department via a secure Internet site. The complaint will then be forwarded to the sergeant assigned to that area. The sergeant will work with the team officers and residents to assess the problem and to develop a solution. The complainant can remain anonymous or provide their name and address.The web site also features a Crime Stoppers page which highlights unsolved crimes and wanted felons. Tips can be forwarded to the department via a secure Internet site or they can be called in at 483-STOP. Citizens can test their knowledge about the police, local laws, and community problem solving on one of the quizzes available in the "Donut Shop." Lt. Person stresses that, "A goal of the Lansing Police Department is to better inform the community of information that affects them." Technology plays a key role in achieving that goal and the department plans to continue exploring new avenues to advance their problem solving efforts. You can visit the Lansing Police Department’s web site at www.lansingpolice.com.

For additional information contact:
Elizabeth Bonello
517/272-7487
or e-mail - ebonello@pilot.msu.edu

COMMUNITY POLICING . . . What Is It? 
John C. Biggar, Chief, Gerrish Township Police Department

You may have seen or read material in recent months about Community Policing, commonly called COPS, and may have wondered what it is. You may also wonder why Gerrish Township Police Department would be moving in such a direction.

In the community policing concept both community and citizens must share the rights and responsibility of identifying, prioritizing, and solving identified problems as full-fledged partners with the police.

To create true community policing, our police department must create and develop a new breed of line officer who acts as a direct link between the police and the people of the community.

Police officers must now become community outreach specialists and be freed from the demands of the patrol car radio and routine patrol so they can maintain daily, direct, face-to-face contact with the people they serve.

Our officers’ new and broad role demands continuous, sustained contact with all law-abiding people in the community. Together, the police and citizens can explore new and creative solutions to local concerns, with the citizens serving as supporters.

Our community policing officers still respond to calls and make arrests, but in addition, they go beyond this narrow focus to develop broad-based, long-term initiatives that improve the quality of life in Gerrish Township.

Community policing implies a new contract between the citizens and the police, thus offering new hope in overcoming widespread apathy in our community. This suggests that our police may now serve as a catalyst which challenges the citizens to accept their share of responsibility for the overall quality of life in Gerrish Township.

We are not approaching community policing as a new tactic to be applied and then abandoned. We see it as a new philosophy and organizational strategy that will provide us with the flexibility to meet all of our local needs and priorities well into the future. To make the change occur, we have assigned each officer a specific area within the township that they are responsible for. These areas are known as GAPS (Gerrish Alternative Policing Strategies).

We have also trained all of our officers in problem solving techniques so that they can now work with citizens or citizen groups to solve problems. We have given our officers the authority to manage their own GAP with the assurance that they alone, with the citizens, are going to be the decision makers. Our Township Board enthusiastically supports this new direction and in fact participates in the process completely.

Community Policing is the future. It provides a decentralized personal police service to our community. It recognizes that the police cannot impose change on our community from the outside. We encourage our people to be a resource that can be used to help us solve problems identified by our citizens as legitimate concerns. With our vision, "Community with Police …Caring and Sharing Together," we can take Gerrish Township into the new millennium and enhance the quality of life for us all.

For additional information contact:
Chief John C. Biggar
Gerrish Township Police Department
517/821-5207

ACT NOW is an acronym for Advisory Community Team – Neighbors On Watch. Nearly a year ago the Gerrish Police Department began meeting with a citizens group, which includes our Township Board, to begin to build new partnerships within our community to better serve the people. This group is one result of those meetings. We have met on a monthly basis and have sponsored some really great programs for citizens.

One of the first programs was on Neighborhood Watches. A Lansing Police Community Officer came to our meeting and gave a very informative presentation on the advantages of having a neighborhood watch in our own area. Officer Banelo also trained us on how to start our own neighborhood watches. Since that meeting we now have several within our township. 

We had another meeting on home security. A Lansing Community Police Service officer attended and brought three tables of equipment and gave a very good program on how to make your home less of a target for the would-be thief.

We meet every third Monday of the month at the Gerrish Police Training Room. Please come and join us.