In Car Computers

[Domnatr]

So i am a police cadet at a local police department here in Michigan, the chief of police wants the officers to start typing all their reports out on the in car computers, and the officers here dont like that idea since it could cause a distraction and possibly life threatening. My question is going out to the officers on this forum on what your thoughts of using the in car computers to type a report. Do you feel that it is a distraction, or life threatening?

[SO535]

ONLY TYPE WHEN YOU ARE PARKED!!

[Domnatr]

haha well yea, but i am saying sittin there (parked) typing out a report, being so engrossed into the computer, would you notice someone coming up to your car?

[SO535]

Would I notice someone walking up to the car, probably not. You can park where your back is against a wall or something like that. But if you were hand writing a report you would be at the same disadvantage. At least in our Impalas the laptop screen is at dash level so if you were looking at the screen you can still see out the windshield in your perephrial(sp) vision.

[Matto]

Would I notice someone walking up to the car, probably not. You can park where your back is against a wall or something like that. But if you were hand writing a report you would be at the same disadvantage. At least in our Impalas the laptop screen is at dash level so if you were looking at the screen you can still see out the windshield in your perephrial(sp) vision.

Is Gwinnett county the same county on COPS here lately? Seems like everytime I see the department it's all females. (didnt mean to thread hijack)

[tex pd]

If you are sitting in your car making a report or working an accident with pen and paper or typing on the computer, you have to be aware of your surroundings. I always try to find a place where I can only be approached from the front or side, usually backed into someplace. When you are writing or typing you have to be able to see what is going on around you, if you get engrossed in what you are writing you will be startled by someone, hopefully they are just wanting to ask directions but it could be much worse. Either way a report is made you have to pay attention.

[SO535]

Is Gwinnett county the same county on COPS here lately? Seems like everytime I see the department it's all females. (didnt mean to thread hijack)

Yes, it's the same county. It's a pretty big department but it's not all or the majority female.

[cst.sb]

We have computers in our cars and I couldn't get by without them. Filling out most reports only take a couple minutes and we can use word perfect and save to disk as well.

Normally, I write off a complaint as seeon as I leave the location. Depending on the nature of the call, I might move around the block out of site, or to one of my favorite haunts. I try to write in places that are well lite and where no one can sneak up on me.

Other times, like on a fri/sat night I might write a couple files up in one of the busy busloop.train stations. That way all the pukes going out to the bar, or high school kids meeting up to go drink in the park won't hang around and start trouble.

Having the option to do your paperwork in the car is a great option, because you can be visible or not. If you have to write stuff up in the office you are not visible and it's going to take longer to clear and back each up.

[Matto]

Yes, it's the same county. It's a pretty big department but it's not all or the majority female.

Hah, yeah I was just messing because the two episodes I saw your department it involved all female police officers.

[Crex4242]

So i am a police cadet at a local police department here in Michigan, the chief of police wants the officers to start typing all their reports out on the in car computers, and the officers here dont like that idea since it could cause a distraction and possibly life threatening. My question is going out to the officers on this forum on what your thoughts of using the in car computers to type a report. Do you feel that it is a distraction, or life threatening?

they are very handy and I try not to use it when i drive I just pull over and type the report. If you have to type the general up, just park with the suspect in the cage and ask him all the info.

[RabbitMPD]

I love doing the reports in my car. I usually sit in a parking lot and run radar while I type my report. Just turn the sound on the radar gun and no problem. It can be distracting but it sure as hell is convenient having the laptop right in the car with you.

[grw963]

I use my computer constantly. We can run vehicle listings, check drivers
license's, driver's histories, and do our reports. I believe that the computers are a great asset.

[cst.sb]

Another good thing is being able to run plates all day long for stolens. It's not to difficult to run them while moblie. And when you're stopped at a light you can run all the vehicles stopped around you without taking up valuable airtime.

The way it works for us, is that dispatch confirms our hits, asks for our location, and will start running the RO's history, etc. You can then start on your game plan as the dispatcher is rattling off which vehicle is stolen. Also, everyone else hears the dispatcher and can start heading your way.

Another great thing about our computers is the GPS. It's the best!!!!! As soon as we are sent our 'dispatch ticket' you can read the sysnopsis of the call and then hit the 'map' button. On the map you see your current location and the location of the call. As you drive to the call you can watch your car driving on the map real time, it is the best. The dispatchers can also see where all the cars are, and can tell you exactly how far, or long back up is going to be if you need it.

[AirWind23]

Another great thing about our computers is the GPS. It's the best!!!!! As soon as we are sent our 'dispatch ticket' you can read the sysnopsis of the call and then hit the 'map' button. On the map you see your current location and the location of the call. As you drive to the call you can watch your car driving on the map real time, it is the best. The dispatchers can also see where all the cars are, and can tell you exactly how far, or long back up is going to be if you need it.

Yeah the GPS feature is really awesome for departments that have it. When I was part of our local youth council in our city we got to tour the 911 call center inside our department and all the plasma screens around the dispatches was amazing, cameras for each of the major interections and a screen with live GPS locations of all the units on patrol. My mouth was drooling when I saw it .