Computer Scientists’ System Speeds Up Law Enforcement Practices
The Southwest Alabama Integrated Criminal Justice System provides funding for the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), which researchers at the University of Alabama began developing a year ago.
The system allows law enforcement personnel to search Internet databases for suspect information, including any warrants or orders of protection, by inputting suspect or vehicle data.
Officers can use LETS to verify a person’s identify by accessing driver’s license photographs and records stored in online databases from their vehicles.
The system saves officers time by letting them conduct database searches directly without contacting a dispatcher, and voice command versions are planned for the future.
University of Alabama professor David Brown, who participated in the project, said the university’s engineering and computer science students are involved in the project but restricted from accessing the databases.
Researchers plan to introduce an updated version of LETS in July and will expand the system’s capability at a rate of one database per month.
The Alabama Office of Law Enforcement Systems Integration and Standards, the Department of Public Safety, and the Administrative Office of Courts are also participating in the project.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from Dateline Alabama (06/27/03); King, Lauren.