The IACP Technology Center, first established in 1996 was aimed at providing crucial information to law enforcement agencies on the importance of having an automated data collection and information management center. Coincidentally, IACP Technology Clearing house came at a time when the federal and local funds were being directed to the development of automated record systems, mobile computing as well as computer aided dispatch.
In collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the IACP has managed to create a center for IT guidance and development. With a fully functional website, the technology clearinghouse has managed to efficiently collect and disseminate information technology resources. Still, with resources, especially on law enforcement, the website has immensely grown in its popularity, even when compared to other similar websites that have been developed recently. The main focus of the technology clearinghouse is its highly developed technology in various programs, with its staff focused to establish and use highly developed programs. Their hardware and software employed depends on the size and type of the agency.
Technology clearinghouse website has various important sections. One of the most important sections is the surveys conducted on various project managers. This allows sharing of information on various technological advancements of interest from one agency to another. The network here is commercial-free and therefore enhances its success chances. Law enforcement executives are encouraged to regularly fill in survey forms that would enable sharing of technological advancement of various agencies.
Another important section in this website is the online library, which provides links to various sites that has information on information technology. In addition, the websites has also the funding section that provides information on the available funding resources that would fund various programs. Still, a section of active and Model requests for proposals (RFPs) is provided to assist with funding and acquisition. To make searching of information easy, especially for the newcomers, the technology clearinghouse website is searchable by use of key words, which enables one to quickly navigate to various resources.
The technology clearinghouse website also features a Law Enforcement Information Management Section (LEIM) that posts information on presentations carried out in law enforcement conferences, especially conferences, which touch on various contemporary issues such as crime mapping and prevention, and wireless communication. Information on the upcoming law enforcement conferences is also featured in this section.
One of the new developments in the technology clearinghouse website is the section featuring the information technology standards component. This is a section which has been developed by the Law Enforcement Information Technology Standards Council (LEITSC), a body, which comprises of a membership of various law executives. Groups in LEITSC include the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and IACP, which are all aimed at enhancing development of IT Standards.
All in all, the advancement of IT standards in the law enforcement sector is aimed at sharing information among various law enforcement agencies that would enable efficiency in maintaining security. The technology clearing house is focused committed to meet the Technological advancement needs for law enforcement agencies. Crime analysis and wireless data communication are some of the areas that IACP Technology Clearinghouse is aiming at.
References
Snyder, G. (2003). Technology Talk: Your Source for Law Enforcement IT Guidance.