COPS for windows: a small-scale, networked, information system

Abstract

The existing Computerized On-Line Police System in use by the Naval Postgraduate School Police Department lacks the information storage, retrieval, query, and data-sharing functionality necessary to maintain personnel and related vehicle and citation records of approximately 7,000 people. The flat file system in use by two different users creates data inconsistencies and wastes time and storage resources by trying to duplicate data on two different machines. The approach taken to solve this problem was the application of a modified Waterfall development cycle to create a new database application that would replace the flat-file system. This thesis describes the development effort from analysis through implementation. The resulting application is called COPS for Windows. COPS for Windows allows more than seventy-five people simultaneous access to the same data files while providing different views of the information and maintains data integrity and consistency. The program generates reports such as the weekly docket, suspension letters, and probation lists. Data entry screens and reports are modeled on existing paper documents. COPS for Windows is a network-ready, multi-user, information system with extensive querying, reporting, and storage capabilities to integrate support cost effectively. (AN)