Police Information Technology: Assessing the Effects of Computerization on Urban Police Functions
Author(s)
Nunn, Samuel
Abstract
Information technology (IT) continues to offer public organizations the promise of improved productivity, though analysts periodically question why productivity enhancements in various sectors have not been more substantial. Besides productivity improvement, though, other questions about IT’s impact on public administration, staffing patterns, and direct service delivery can be posed. Does increased IT usage reduce or increase the need for administrative staff? Does reliance on IT increase the need for technical staff? Does heavier IT usage lead to more efficiencies and effectiveness? Basic questions such as these are particularly acute in public organizations with tight budgets because sought-after budgeting resources can be used for various combinations of labor and capital (that is, IT investments). Presumably some combination is optimal, or at least more efficient than other combinations. The main managerial challenge is often to select the combination that offers the highest promise for the organization.
