Geographic Information Systems
for Small and Medium Law Enforcement Jurisdictions:
Strategies and Effective Practices

This summary report highlights points from the complete report, which is based on extensive interviews with crime-mapping staff, supervisors, and end-users both within and outside North Carolina. Action steps, the purpose of the steps, and the sequence of the steps are outlined in relation to implementation of geographic information systems (GIS) for law enforcement agencies in small to medium jurisdictions.


Action Steps
Purpose
Planning Stage  
* Involve key leaders Provide essential backing to secure funding support
* Identify problems for crime mapping Create current needs assessment.
* Develop partnerships Acquire help from others already using GIS
* Plan strategically Plan for present and future GIS goals
* Establish a leadership board Define areas of responsibility, resolve conflicts, and set goals for the GIS function
Start-up stage  
* Hire and/or train technical staff Integrate crime analysis and GIS capabilities
* Acquire adequate hardware and software Provide enough power and functionality to meet future demands
* Form cooperative agreements Encourage collecting and sharing information with all units pertinent to GIS mission
Operational stage  
* Be compatible with existing municipal GIS systems Coordinate and combine databases
* Invest in GIS training Support investment in human resources
* Implement pin mapping Create early success for GIS, build demand for future functions
Stabilization stage  
* Integrate with other databases Produce overlays with informaiton from multiple agencies
* Hire/train GIS coordinator with computer and communication skills Meet needs of management, end-users, and local councils/boards
Expansion stage  
* Make program assessment permanent Assure ongoing program evaluation justifies GIS growth and budgetary expansion
* Develop expanded resources Obtain support of key decision-makers while remaining professinally neutral
* Develop broader networks Network staff and keep end-users informed