Information technology (IT) is the application of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data, often in the context of a business or other enterprise. Information technology not only deals with computers but also mobile phones and any other handheld devices. IT has helped police departments in numerous ways but when it comes to the random patrols of the streets there is a difference. Police departments nationwide had been patrolling streets in every city in efforts to maintain public safety. Police use predictive policing to help make their work more efficient. This enables police to anticipate and prevent crime instead of simply responding to it (Pearsall, 2010). Using information technology to fight crime by the police officers is becoming increasingly effective in apprehending the crime perpetrators. With the random patrols of the street it allows the officers to develop a relationship with the community whereas the departments using statistical data only get part of the picture. Patrols of the street gives the officers an understanding of the crime instead of just knowing when and what happened.
COMPSTAT short for computer statistics, or comparative statistics was created by the New York City Police Department to better deal with crime at the precinct level, based on what types and frequencies of crimes were actually happening on a regular basis (WVPD). Police Departments such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New Orleans, and Newark, New Jersey have all experienced significant reduction in violent crimes as a result of the implementation of the COMPSTAT crime control model (LAPD). COMPSTAT is a strategy that is used to develop profiles based on known data. The process can be summarized in one simple statement: "Collect, analyze, and map crime data and other essential police performance measures on a regular basis, and hold police managers accountable for their performance as measured by these data." COMPSTAT requires law enforcement to think outside the box for solutions to issues, to question the status quo ensuring that policy, procedures, and tactics remain current. The process also demands meaningful internal and external communications, and it is necessary to embrace the use of technology. COMPSTAT goes to the core of the primary mission of any law enforcement agency: to reduce criminal activities.
Information systems have allowed police departments respond to crimes faster because technology is changing the way police departments operate. Police have frequently turned to technology for enhancing their effectiveness. These technological innovations, along with the introduction of the patrol car and the collection of crime statistics, also increased the capacity of the police to identify and respond quickly to crimes. Police departments that use COMPSTAT respond to crimes faster because they are given information and told to observe the locations during peak accident times and told write citations for the type of violations found in accident analysis (Carter 2002 pg. 288). COMPSTAT allows the departments to access the criminal data on a daily basis. With technology advancing everyday they will always be allowed to access certain things and be able to respond to crimes a lot faster than the department who don’t use COMPSTAT. The COMPSTAT process is guided by four principles:
• Accurate and timely intelligence
• Effective tactics
• Rapid deployment
• Relentless Follow-up and Assessment (LAPD)